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CANFIELD – In a collective effort to make coding more understandable and to show how accessible computer science can be, the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio (ESCEO) is collaborating with 17 local school districts for an exciting Hour of Code event from Dec. 4-10.
Nearly 10,000 students have pledged to participate during school hours, showcasing widespread enthusiasm for coding across the community.
The 17 participating districts include Austintown Local, Beaver Local, Boardman Local, Canfield Local, Columbiana Exempted Village, Jackson-Milton Local, Lowellville Local, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Potential Development, South Range Local, Springfield Local, United Local, Valley STEM, West Branch Local, Western Reserve Local, Youngstown City, and Youngtown Community.
Canfield, Jackson-Milton and Lowellville will be engaging students from kindergarten through 12th grade in this immersive coding experience and Boardman has invited a guest speaker from the FBI’s Cybersecurity division to speak to high school students on the relevance of computer science in today’s world.
Public Library Sessions Enhance Community Accessibility
In a move that will enhance community accessibility and further the reach of Hour of Code, the ESCEO has partnered with the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. The PLYMC will host 10 Hour of Code events at seven branches from Dec. 4-8. These sessions cater to a diverse audience, from Pre-K to adults, reinforcing the idea that coding is for everyone. More information about library programming can be found at libraryvisit.org.
ESCEO Commitment to Diverse Educational Opportunities
Hour of Code is not just about coding, it’s about breaking down barriers and promoting diversity in computer science. According to code.org while 67% of all new STEM jobs are in computing, only 11% of STEM bachelor’s degrees are in Computer Science.
The ESCEO recognizes the importance of bridging this gap and providing equal opportunities for all students. Rachael Ayers, instructional specialist for ESCEO, has been working with the local school districts to bring this event to the area. Exposure gained through these activities can lead to a newfound love for STEM, fostering creativity, perseverance and problem-solving skills.
Ayers emphasizes the transformative potential of Hour of Code: “Many children and adults are intimidated by the word ‘coding’ because they think it will be too difficult to grasp. Hour of Code helps bridge that divide so that every student, even those traditionally underrepresented in computer science fields, has some exposure to computer science principles. They may find that they love it!”
According to Code.org, the organization behind Hour of Code, this global movement has reached over 100 million students worldwide. Hadi Partovi, Code.org’s founder and CEO, emphasizes, “The demand for relevant 21st-century computer science education crosses all borders and knows no boundaries.”
For information about the Hour of Code event contact the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio at 330-533-8755 or visit esceasternohio.org.
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