According to Code.org, only 40 percent of schools in the U.S. teach computer science. Broadalbin-Perth is one of them.
Computer Science Education Week was celebrated districtwide this week at B-P. Twenty-four high schoolers participated in the second round of the national CyberPatriot cybersecurity challenge on Friday, and Hour of Code activities were held at The Learning Community, intermediate and middle schools this week.
Technology education is an important part of curriculum and instruction at Broadalbin-Perth, supporting the district’s comprehensive plan and its goal to better support future-ready learning. At the high school, there are currently four computer science classes, including three classes just for teaching students how to code using a programming language.
“For our high school classes, it’s more like 40 Weeks of Code,” computer science and math teacher Billy Eipp said.
The Learning Community and Intermediate School
Click to view slideshow.TLC celebrating the #HourofCode with a #Cozmo bot by @anki! You’re never too young to learn about coding! pic.twitter.com/fEPV63xP3f
— Broadalbin-Perth CSD (@BPpatriots) December 6, 2017
Algorithms, computer programs and coding for children ages 10 and younger — and all without an electronic device? You better believe it. Computer teacher Allison Renda unveiled “unplugged” coding lessons at The Learning Community and intermediate school this week.
Some people may think coding is too complicated for elementary-aged students, but Renda’s lessons showed you’re never too young to learn. So what does the Hour of Code look like in an elementary classroom? It started with Renda teaching students simple and relatable lessons about the foundations of coding, including vocabulary and how computer processes work.
“Learning coding helps students gain the skills they need in any subject area or future career,” Renda said. “It teaches them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. They learn sequencing, cause and effect and analytical skills. The kids are having so much fun coding, they don’t even realize they are learning.”
The Hour of Code celebration will continue at TLC and the IS next week, next time with devices and games.
Middle School
Click to view slideshow.Math and science teachers Ana Ventre, Michael Nacheman and Anita Stabrowski worked with all of their students on different coding programs this week. Each student had an individual account that kept track of their coding progress.
The middle school’s Hour of Code event was supported by the BPMS Coding Club members who have been coding with Ozobots and Spheros. Along with creating their own games, students and teachers are using the Ozobots and Spheros to integrate math and science lessons.
High School
Click to view slideshow.Friday marked the second time in as many months that Eipp’s students have participated in CyberPatriot competition, which advances toward a national final scheduled in April.
Eipp said the qualifying rounds get more difficult as the year progresses. For Friday’s challenge, each team had to evaluate and problem-solve three different “insecure” operating systems that have issues because of either human error or because they’ve been hacked.
The students who participated in the challenge include a blend of current cybersecurity class students as well as those who have already taken the course. Eipp said some students wanted to take the course again this year because they liked it so much.
“These electives change students’ lives, whether they go into these fields or not,” Eipp said. “Advanced math and coding helps you think critically and be an innovative problem solver.”
The students who participated in the six hour challenge were Devin Becker, Brodryk Benton, Joe Burden, Madison Fariello, Christina Fedullo, Emily Fedullo, Eliana Fraser, Jacob Holland, Zachary Johnson, Tucker Marek, Evan Meshaw, Connor Merritt, Nicholas Myers, Jonathan Simmons, Andrew Syzdek, Jack Szumowski, Joseph Tesiero, Eric Vertorano, Chris Wagner, Tesa Brody, Jarrett Albanese, Kolby Krutz, Brooke McClarren and Alex Loucks.
Eipp said the goal has been to increase the number of girls who take his courses to address the national shortage of women in computer science fields. He said there has been marked progress: his cybersecurity class, about half of the students are girls, and there are eight girls enrolled in his other three courses.
“It used to be none,” Eipp said. “These electives let them explore the field and find out if they really like it. They usually fall in love with it.”