What is computer science?
Also called CS, computer science has helped us eradicate diseases, enabled us to explore the depths of space, unlocked mysteries in math and medicine, and given us much of the technology we use daily, such as our phones, the internet, our favorite games, movies, and tv shows. Computer science helps us imagine ancient civilizations and build the cities of the future.
Facilitated by the collaboration among many partners, Computer Science Education Week is an opportunity to recognize all the things made possible by CS.
This year’s theme, #CSEverywhere, highlighted the impact that computer science is making everywhere and the relationship computer science has to different subjects, industries, career paths, and our everyday lives. CS helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic, and creativity.
A big part of Computer Science Education Week is the Hour of Code. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code,” to show that anybody can learn the basics and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. Since its conception in 2013, the Hour of Code has become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, serving 1,331,000,000+ people in more than 180 countries and over 45 languages. This year there were 85,694 events registered! Throughout the years, more than 100 million students have tried Hour of Code and female students make up 50% of all participants.
Over the years, Pennsylvania has grown to become a leader in the CS space.
Code.org recently released its annual report, which elevated Governor Tom Wolf’s statement that, “strong computer science education can break down barriers and open a world of opportunities for all students.”
Computer Science Education Week is supported by 350+ partners and 100,000+ educators worldwide, growing each year. It is a community-led effort made possible by the teamwork of many partners, including the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), Code.org, Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP), CSforALL, and the Kapor Center.
Computer Science Education Week is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners in the field, but no one is too young or too old to have a passion for learning about computer science!