Google CS First: Exploring the Legacy of a Coding Platform
Quick Summary
- Google CS First discontinued June 30, 2025.
- Used Scratch for coding education.
- Data was permanently deleted.
- Successor: Experience CS by Raspberry Pi.
- Aimed at ages 9-14.
Google CS First was a renowned free computer science curriculum designed to introduce K-12 students, primarily aged 9-14, to the fundamentals of coding. Developed by Google, this online platform provided engaging, video-based activities and lessons, making computer science education accessible even for educators without prior coding experience. It empowered millions of students to explore coding through creative projects using the block-based programming language Scratch. However, it's crucial for users to know that the Google CS First program was officially discontinued on June 30, 2025. Google has since supported the Raspberry Pi Foundation in developing its successor, Experience CS, which continues to offer Scratch-based learning units. This guide provides an overview of what CS First was, its key functionalities, and important information regarding its closure.
- 📋 Preparing for Computer Science Journeys with CS First
- 📍 Navigating Your Student Account on the Legacy CS First System
- ⭐ Unveiling the Educational Tools of Google's CS First
- ⚠️ Addressing Access Challenges for Archived CS First Work
- 🔒 Protecting Data and Privacy in the Original CS First Program
- 🎧 Official Help Desk Contacts
- ❓ Clarifying Key Questions About the CS First Program
Preparing for Computer Science Journeys with CS First
- Internet Access: Students and teachers needed a stable internet connection to access the online platform and its video tutorials.
- Web Browser: The platform was designed to run within a standard web browser, minimizing setup requirements.
- Google Account: Teachers typically used their Google accounts to create and manage classes. Students could often use Google accounts for seamless login, or a dedicated CS First account provided by their teacher.
- Scratch Platform: As CS First was powered by Scratch, a free block-based programming tool developed by MIT, students interacted with an embedded Scratch environment to build projects.
Navigating Your Student Account on the Legacy CS First System
- Accessing the Platform (Historically): Users would navigate to the CS First website.
- Teacher Login: Educators would select 'I'm a teacher' and sign in using their Google account, often integrating with Google Classroom to import student rosters.
- Student Login (Google Account): Students with Google Workspace accounts would choose 'I'm a student' and then 'Sign in with Google,' using their existing Google credentials.
- Student Login (CS First Account): Alternatively, some students used unique usernames and passwords provided by their teachers for their CS First accounts.
- Dashboard Access: Upon successful login, users would reach their dashboard, displaying assigned classes and ongoing projects.
Unveiling the Educational Tools of Google's CS First
- Comprehensive Curriculum: CS First offered a wide array of video-based activities and instructional materials designed for classroom use.
- Block-Based Coding with Scratch: The program utilized Scratch, an intuitive block-based coding language, allowing beginners to create interactive stories, games, and animations by snapping together code blocks.
- Themed Modules: Lessons were organized into engaging themes like Music & Sound, Game Design, Storytelling, and Art, making coding relevant to diverse student interests.
- Teacher Dashboard: Educators had access to a dashboard to track student progress, manage classes, and access student projects.
- Self-Paced Learning: Students learned through self-paced video tutorials, allowing them to progress at their own speed.
- Integration with Google Classroom: The platform offered integration with Google Classroom for easier class setup and student management.
Addressing Access Challenges for Archived CS First Work
⚠️ Accessing old CS First projects or data
Cause: The Google CS First program was discontinued, and all associated data has been permanently deleted.
Solution: We understand the frustration of losing access to past work. Unfortunately, as of June 30, 2025, all CS First data stored by Google was permanently deleted and is no longer accessible. If you wish to continue coding with Scratch, you can use the Scratch platform directly or explore new educational offerings like Experience CS from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, which is a recommended successor.
⚠️ Finding active CS First educational content
Cause: The original Google CS First program is no longer operational.
Solution: While Google CS First is no longer available, the spirit of accessible computer science education lives on. Google is supporting the Raspberry Pi Foundation in the development of Experience CS, a new platform offering Scratch-based learning units. This is the recommended alternative for those seeking similar educational content.
Protecting Data and Privacy in the Original CS First Program
- 🔒 Data Deletion Post-Shutdown: Google confirmed that all CS First data stored by them was permanently deleted after June 30, 2025, ensuring no lingering personal information.
- 🔒 Emphasis on Privacy: Historically, Google maintained stringent privacy policies for educational products, particularly when dealing with student data.
- 🔒 Secure Login Protocols: When active, the platform utilized secure login mechanisms, often leveraging Google accounts for enhanced authentication.
- 🔒 No Personal Data on Devices (for Mobile Banking): While specific to First Security Bank's mobile banking in one search result, the general principle of not storing sensitive data on devices reflects good security practice, likely adopted by Google's educational tools for mobile use.
🎧 Official Support & Help Center
For inquiries regarding past Google for Education products or alternative computer science education resources, please refer to the general Google for Education Help Center. Direct support for the CS First program is no longer available.
Clarifying Key Questions About the CS First Program
Q: Is Google CS First still available?
No, Google CS First was officially discontinued on June 30, 2025. The program's support pages confirm its shutdown, with all data permanently deleted.
Q: What replaced Google CS First?
Google is supporting the Raspberry Pi Foundation in developing Experience CS as the successor to CS First. Experience CS offers Scratch-based learning units in a structured environment and is designed to be freely available for teachers and students.
Q: What happened to my account and projects after CS First shut down?
After the shutdown date of June 30, 2025, all CS First data stored by Google, including user accounts and created projects, was permanently deleted and is no longer accessible.
Q: Was Google CS First free to use?
Yes, Google CS First was a completely free computer science curriculum, providing resources and tools at no cost to educators and students.
Wrap Up
While Google CS First has concluded its journey, its legacy as an accessible, free computer science curriculum remains significant. It introduced countless students to the world of coding and computational thinking, laying foundational skills for future digital natives. The transition to Experience CS, supported by Google and developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, ensures that quality Scratch-based learning opportunities continue to thrive for the next generation of innovators. Exploring these new platforms can open doors to exciting creative and problem-solving adventures.