Be a Computer Scientist
Who is a Computer Scientist?
A computer scientist is someone who uses computers and technology to solve problems, create new
things, and help people in different areas of life.
Think of them as digital problem-solvers!
They work with:
• Computers
• Software (apps, games,
programs)
• Robots
• Websites
• Data
They use technology to help in areas like:
• Education (learning apps)
• Medicine (machines that check your health)
• Business (keeping records and data safe)
• Entertainment (games and cartoons)
• Transport (maps and self-driving cars)
THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL INDIA 1
What Does a Computer Scientist Do?
Task Explanation Example
Solve Computer scientists find smart ways to They make apps to help kids learn
Problems fix problems using technology. math or find directions on a map.
Make They write instructions (called code) that A game where a dinosaur jumps when
Programs tell computers what to do. you press the spacebar.
Keep They protect data from hackers or They make antivirus software.
Computers Safe viruses.
Work with They help robots understand commands. A robot that helps clean or deliver
Robots packages.
Work with They collect and study information to Using weather data to predict a storm.
Data learn things.
What is Computational Thinking?
Computational thinking is a way of solving problems like a computer scientist. It teaches you how to
think clearly, plan steps, and make smart decisions.
THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL INDIA 2
The 4 Parts of Computational Thinking:
Concept Meaning Easy Example
Decomposition Breaking a big problem into To draw a house: first draw the walls, then
small parts the roof, then the door
Pattern Looking for things that happen If you notice all dogs have 4 legs, that's a
Recognition again and again pattern
Abstraction Focusing only on important When making a traffic light, you only care
information about colors, not the shape
Algorithms A step-by-step set of instructions A recipe for making pancakes or
to solve a problem instructions for tying shoelaces
A. Decomposition
Another example:
To clean your room:
1. Pick up clothes
2. Put toys in the box
3. Make the bed
Each is a smaller task.
B. Pattern Recognition
Another example:
When we see that all cats have whiskers, we are
spotting a pattern.
C. Abstraction
Another example:
If you want to draw a bird, you don’t need to show every feather—just the shape and wings.
D. Algorithms
Another example:
Making tea:
1. Boil water
2. Add tea leaves
3. Add milk
4. Pour in a cup
These steps form an algorithm.
THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL INDIA 3
What is Coding or Programming?
Coding is how we communicate with computers. It means
writing instructions using a special language that the
computer understands.
Just like we speak English or Hindi, computers understand
coding languages like:
Language What It’s Used For Level
Scratch Making fun animations and games Easy (for beginners)
Python Data, websites, robots Medium
JavaScript Websites, games Medium
HTML/CSS Designing websites Medium
Example of a Simple Code:
In Scratch:
"When the space key is pressed → Move the cat 10
steps"
That’s coding too!
THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL INDIA 4
Tools Computer Scientists Use
Tool Use
Computers To write code, design apps, and test programs
Brain and Logic To plan and think through problems
Flowcharts To show how things should happen step-by-step
Software & Tools Like Scratch, Python, or Code.org to create programs
Robotics Kits To build and control robots
Real-Life Jobs Computer Scientists Can Do
• Game Developer – Make fun computer or mobile games
• Web Developer – Build websites
• App Developer – Create mobile apps
• Cyber Security Expert – Keep information safe
• Data Scientist – Study numbers and facts to learn new things
• AI Engineer – Teach computers how to think and learn
THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL INDIA 5
Career Opportunities
Where Do Computer Scientists Work?
They work in many places:
• Offices (software companies)
• Schools (teaching coding)
• Hospitals (making medical software)
• Space agencies (coding for rockets!)
• Home (freelance or online work)
They can even work from anywhere using the internet!
Famous Computer Scientists
Name What They Did
Ada Lovelace She was the first computer programmer ever!
Alan Turing Helped win World War II using computers
Tim Berners-Lee Invented the World Wide Web (the internet!)
Skills Every Computer Scientist Needs
Skill Why It’s Important
Curiosity To ask questions and explore how things work (Ask “why?” and “how?” often)
Creativity To come up with fun and new ideas
Patience To try again when something goes wrong
Teamwork To build big projects with others
Focus To keep paying attention to small details
THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL INDIA 6
Chapter – End Questions
Section A: Fill in the Blanks
1. A person who uses computers to solve problems is called a ______________.
2. ____________ is the way of solving problems like a computer scientist.
3. Instructions given to a computer are called ______________.
4. The four parts of computational thinking are decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and
______________.
5. A person who makes computer games is called a _____________ ______________.
6. Ada Lovelace is known as the first ______________ ______________.
7. Computers understand special languages like ______________ and ______________.
8. A set of clear steps to solve a problem is called an ______________.
9. The tool used to draw steps using symbols is called a ______________.
10. ____________ is a coding platform designed for beginners and children.
Section B: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is coding?
A. Speaking to people
B. Writing instructions for computers
C. Drawing cartoons
D. Playing games
2. Which of these is a coding language for beginners?
A. Python
B. Scratch
C. Java
D. Robot
3. What does a web developer do?
A. Cooks food
B. Fixes cars
C. Builds websites
D. Paints pictures
4. What is the first step in solving a big problem in computer science?
A. Guessing
B. Decomposition
C. Sleeping
D. Copying
THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL INDIA 7
5. Who invented the World Wide Web?
A. Ada Lovelace
B. Alan Turing
C. Tim Berners-Lee
D. Steve Jobs
Section C: True or False
1. Coding is only used for making video games.
2. Computer scientists use robots to help solve problems.
3. Algorithms are like recipes with clear steps.
4. Pattern recognition means finding things that are different.
5. All computer scientists must work alone.
Section D: Short Answer Questions
1. What is the job of a computer scientist? Name two things they do.
2. What is an algorithm? Give an example.
3. Explain what “abstraction” means with a simple example.
4. Name any two programming languages and say where they are used.
5. Why is patience an important skill for a computer scientist?
Section E: Match the Following
Column A Column B
1. Ada Lovelace A. Writes website code
2. Pattern Recognition B. First computer programmer
3. Web Developer C. Finds repeating things
4. Flowchart D. A way to show steps
5. Algorithm E. Step-by-step instructions
Section F: Creative Thinking / Activity-Based
1. Draw a flowchart to show how you get ready for school.
2. Write 5 steps (algorithm) for how to make a sandwich.
3. Find any pattern around you (floor tiles, leaves, clothes). Draw or describe it.
4. Write a short paragraph: “If I were a computer scientist, I would…”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE VIRTUAL SCHOOL INDIA 8
