Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual program designed to engage students of all ages in computer science. It is observed each year, in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906). This year, CSEdWeek is December 8-14, 2014.
What started as a grassroots movement and then inaugurated by Congress in 2009, CSEdWeek has quickly grown and is now on the International Stage. There are many ways to participate and to bring computing to others, through the code.org online tutorials written for students of all levels to hosting students in your research lab, visiting a high school class to share your stories with students, or by linking up with a Community organization such as the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, to help students learn about computing. While there is a great emphasis this week, there is no limit to when you can introduce students to computing, so do what you can, when you can. I for one have already worked with a group of 7-year old girls to help them earn their “Computer Expert” Brownie badge, and am looking forward to visiting a local elementary school during their Hour of Code activities.
To kickoff the week, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) held an event in Washington, D.C. celebrating new commitments and partnerships between the Federal government, school districts, non-profits, foundations, private industry, and others to expand access to and student learning in computer science and coding. You can learn more about the partnerships launched here.
President Barack Obama kicked off the Hour of Code campaign for Computer Science Education Week 2014, by asking every American to learn to computer science in this Youtube video.
What will you be doing to engage more students in Computing?
