Originally Posted by somewhereonearth
Some of the panic comes from the knowledge that I can't just throw some books at DS to meet this need in science/engineering. He needs a lab or workshop, I guess?

Actually, you can, at least in computer programming.

AOPS used to use
1) 'Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner' by Michael Dawson
and now uses (a somewhat modified version of)
2) 'Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist' by Allen B. Downey (in print, or free online at http://www.greenteapress.com/thinkpython/). I recommend both books.

Installing python would take just a few minutes.

(If you are interested, I can mention a few 'gentle introduction' computer science books too.)