Computer Science at Technology Access
Foundation 2014 Student Expo
"Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes."
-- Edsger Dijkstra, award-winning computer scientist
Computer science is a field that is driving science and innovation in not only Washington State but across the world. Individuals with computational skills not only find work in software development, but across a spectrum of careers that extends from cinematic arts to homeland security. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that over 150,000 computing jobs open annually in the U.S. alone, and most of these positions pay 70% more than other STEM careers.
The problem is that many schools don't recognize computer science as an integral part of STEM education. In fact, only 22 states and the District of Columbia currently allow computer science to fulfill high school science and math graduation requirements---making computer science one of the most marginalized science fields in K-12 education, especially in underrepresented communities and school districts. We wanted to address the stereotypes that surround computer science today through an unique, site-specific exhibit with educational powerhouse, Technology Access Foundation.
-- Edsger Dijkstra, award-winning computer scientist
Computer science is a field that is driving science and innovation in not only Washington State but across the world. Individuals with computational skills not only find work in software development, but across a spectrum of careers that extends from cinematic arts to homeland security. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that over 150,000 computing jobs open annually in the U.S. alone, and most of these positions pay 70% more than other STEM careers.
The problem is that many schools don't recognize computer science as an integral part of STEM education. In fact, only 22 states and the District of Columbia currently allow computer science to fulfill high school science and math graduation requirements---making computer science one of the most marginalized science fields in K-12 education, especially in underrepresented communities and school districts. We wanted to address the stereotypes that surround computer science today through an unique, site-specific exhibit with educational powerhouse, Technology Access Foundation.
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Technology Access Foundation is an educational non-profit which has been offering students of color quality STEM-based education since 1996. Based in White Center, they sit in one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in Seattle, where they provide after-school enrichment programs for middle-school students in video game design and robotics at their state-of-the-art Bethaday Community Learning Space. Pop-Up Science brought its first pop-up exhibit on Programming and Computer Science to their annual TAF Expo, where we hoped to support these amazing students and their families.
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There's a lot of open-source resources for aspiring coders, roboticists, and school teachers, but they can be hard to find. We wanted to make this knowledge easily accessible to students and their families, from where to learn Python online to how much an engineer gets paid annually in Washington State. Younger siblings could try their hands at building and programming challenges, while parents were given helpful tips toward supporting and advocating for a computer literate child.
We were also joined by Hack-e-Bot, a Ballard-based company who brought an arsenal of Hack-e-Bots to patrol the floor. Hack-e-bot provides DIY robot kits for under $50, with free online curriculum and assistance for students and teachers who are seeking to expand beyond LEGO. Hack-e-Bot represents just one of many DIY robotic kits out there, opening up the world of robotics and computer science to classrooms and living rooms for anyone with the imagination and the determination to get going.
We were also joined by Hack-e-Bot, a Ballard-based company who brought an arsenal of Hack-e-Bots to patrol the floor. Hack-e-bot provides DIY robot kits for under $50, with free online curriculum and assistance for students and teachers who are seeking to expand beyond LEGO. Hack-e-Bot represents just one of many DIY robotic kits out there, opening up the world of robotics and computer science to classrooms and living rooms for anyone with the imagination and the determination to get going.
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"Pop-Up Science made a great impression on our youth and their families attending our annual Expo event... It was a perfect fit for celebrating the end of the school year for our STEM program, and it helped our kids, as well as their parents and guardians, see that STEM learning is not only vitally important, but also tons of fun!" -- Sarah Wilkes, TAF Program Director |
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