San Diego Supercomputer Center Launches Computer Science Workshops for Middle School Students

The University of California, San Diego's San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) has partnered with local middle schools on a series of computer science workshops designed to get more female and minority students interested in computing.

The workshops kicked off last month with students from Granger Junior High School and National City Middle School.

"It was a wonderful learning experience for them, and all of the students expressed interest in taking more courses in computer science," said Art Lopez, a computer science and applications instructor at Sweetwater High School, which is in the same district as the participating students. "I was very impressed with their willingness to explore new computer skills, so hopefully we embedded a 'seed' of learning to cultivate future computer scientists. In fact many of them expressed interest in pursuing a career in computing."

Funded by a grant from the Parker Foundation and a consortium of local businesses called Connect, the program "dovetails with a larger program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) called ComPASS, for Computing Principles for All Students' Success," according to a release, that is designed to prepare instructors to teach computer science principles.

"San Diego's economy depends upon technology and innovation that impact nearly every job sector," said Diane Baxter, SDSC's director of education, in a prepared statement. "These workshops are all about getting more students, especially underrepresented ones, to learn the computational thinking skills that those jobs require. But most of all, we want them to engage in the fun and excitement of computing so they look forward to learning more as they continue their studies."

The next workshop will take place November 16 and will cover the basics of programming for Alice. More information is available at education.sdsc.edu.

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • A glowing crystal ball with a modern school building inside, surrounded by numerous holographic symbols including a gear, book, laptop, lightbulb, cloud icon, smartphone, and circuit pattern, on a gradient blue and white background.

    Ed Tech Wishes and Worries for 2025

    How will evolutions in education technology impact schools and districts in the coming year? Here's what the experts told us.

  • Stock market graphs and candlesticks breaking apart with glass-like cracks

    Chinese Startup Disrupts AI Market

    A new low-cost artificial intelligence model from China is wreaking havoc in the technology sector, with tech stocks plummeting globally as concerns grow over the potential disruption it could cause.

  • A geometric pattern of open Chromebook computers with bold outlines, subtle shading, and soft gradients, spaced evenly with vibrant green and blue accents on a neutral background.

    Challenges and Opportunities Ahead for the 'Great Chromebook Refresh'

    During the pandemic, the education community scrambled to provide students with laptops to promote online learning equity and mitigate learning loss. Today, those devices are approaching the end of their useful lives — and a "great Chromebook refresh" has been predicted as schools seek to replace them with newer models.  

  • open digital book with a glowing holographic AI assistant emerging from its pages

    Partnership Brings AI Teaching Assistant to SchoolsPLP Course Library

    SchoolsPLP, a provider of PreK-12 digital curriculum and learning solutions, has partnered with Agilix Labs to integrate the latter's BusyBee AI teaching assistant into its K-12 course library.