CS Education Mini-Summit addresses CS Curricula problems

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:59:12 -0400

Did you know that Computer Science isn’t a required course in most Maryland High Schools (or colleges for that matter)? For most students, a lack of exposure early on translates to total avoidance once they reach college. For a subject as ubiquitous as computing, it is essential to Maryland's continued success as a technology leader that we make a commitment to improve access to and quality of the computing curriculum across the state.

That’s why the folks behind Computing Education for the 21st Century (CE21) aim to do something about it. One way is through their upcoming Computer Science Education Mini-Summit, to be held August 8, 2012 throughout the Information Technology/Engineering (ITE) Building on UMBC’s main campus.

The free mini-summit invites high school teachers, college professors, and anyone else interested in expanding Computer Science offerings in Maryland high and middle schools to attend. “We hope to explore what is currently being done to increase student interest in computer science and what can be done in the future,” explains the website.

Summit attendees can expect to do the following:

1. Learn more about computer science high school education across the state of Maryland;

2. Network with others with an interest in computer science education;

3. Exchange strategies with other education professionals; and

4. Plan with others to help expand student interest and to increase the number and diversity of students studying computer science in Maryland.

Take a look at the summit schedule:

8:30-9:30 | Breakfast | ITE 239
9:00-9:30 | Check-in | ITE 2nd Floor
9:30-10:00 | Welcome & Introductions | ITE 241
10:00-10:15 | Mid-Morning Break | ITE 239
10:15-11:00 | CS4HS Recap | ITE 231
11:00-12:00 | Speaker: Jan Cuny, NSF Program Director | ITE 231
12:00-1:00 | CE21 Mini-Summit Lunch | ITE 237 & 239
1:15-2:15 | Session 1: Snapshot of HS CS in MD | ITE 231
2:30-3:30 | Session 2: Sharing Best CS Education Practices | ITE 237 & 241
3:30-3:45 | Afternoon Refresher Break | ITE 237 & 239
3:45-4:45 | Session 3: Planning the Spring 2013 CE21 Summit | ITE 237 & 241
4:45-5:00 | Wrap-up | ITE 231

Those interested in attending must register here. For more information, visit the CE21 website, or contact CE21Maryland@umbc.edu.