Happy Computer Science Education Week!

Computer Science Education Week (#CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. This week is held in recognition of the birthday of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906), who invented the first compiler and coined the term “bug” (an error in a program) after removing an actual moth from a computer.

This year Computer Science Education Week has a special focus on social justice, shining a light on how Computer Science can serve as a catalyst for social justice. 

Without access to rigorous computer science and STEM courses, underrepresented students have limited opportunities and aspirations to develop computing knowledge.

Digi-Bridge is proud to promote Computer Science Education Week in 2020. We know that there are thousands of unfilled technology jobs in North Carolina alone. The lack of diversity in technology is a critical issue that must be solved and one that we work to address in our everyday work. We hope that you’ll take the time this week to reflect on all of the spaces where computer science impacts your daily life and where we would be without it. We seek to expand conversation, knowledge, and opportunities in the computer science and STEM fields for underrepresented students.

Want to celebrate #CSEdWeek at home or in your classroom? We are sharing our favorite resources and hope to inspire you to try something new this week!

Hour of Code:

Code.org in coordination with #CSEdWeek has launched Hour of Code! There are many activities here to spend an hour (or more!) on basic coding skills. Our favorites? Code a Dance Party to your favorite tunes. Have fun with SciGirls to complete some underwater challenges.

Code at ChatBot:

Have you wondered who is on the other side of the chat boxes we use through websites? With this activity, you get to code your own chatbot and have friends and family have conversations with your AI! 

On Thursday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m., join Digi-Bridge and Dottie Rose Foundation by learning how to code and program your own ChatBot! This free one-hour session will walk students through an interactive activity to learn more about chatbots, why they are used and how to create your own! A special guest STEM role model will make an appearance during the session.

Please register using this link and the Zoom details will be emailed prior to the event.

Be Inspired by a Role Model in Tech:

If there is anything this year proved, it’s that we no longer have to be together to have impact. There are a number of amazing videos featuring diverse role models working in technology. Learn from role models on your lunch break or before bed. Create a list of questions you would like to ask. You can’t be it if you can’t see it and these websites help us access more stories to inspire the next generation!

• TECHNOLOCHICAS
• SciGirls
• DreamWalkers

We hope that you’ll enjoy your week immersed in computer science and put yourself out of your comfort zone to learn something new.