www.springfielddevelopment.org
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December 5, 2017 Springfield School District Launches First-in-Vermont School-Wide Computer Science Initiative for Middle and High School Students Filed under: SRDC — admin @ 12:22 pm This Computer Science Education Week, the Springfield School District announced the launch of a comprehensive, school-wide computer science initiative for the middle and high schools supported by grants from the Siegel Family Endowment and the Vermont Community Foundation. In conjunction with this initiative, the Springfield School Board voted to make the school district the first in Vermont to make one semester of coding a high school graduation requirement. Zach McLaughlin, Superintendent of the Springfield School District, explained the decision. “Our school district is constantly thinking about how to best prepare our students for their social, civic, and economic lives. As we follow societal trends, we know that their lives will be intertwined with computer science. Whether as a community member, a voter, or a wage earner, our students’ worlds will be impacted by the growing integration of technology with all aspects of their lives. Computer science skills will set our graduates up for success.” Designed to leverage Springfield’s best-in-country gigabit internet, the computer science program will provide every student with a basic knowledge of coding with an aim to develop critical problem-solving skills. The initiative intends to offer additional in and out of school clubs and activities, including a First Robotics team and 3D Vermont club to enhance experiential-learning and to increase confidence and achievement in skills with tangible, real world value. In addition, the program will use strategies proven to empower girls to feel welcome and excited about computer science, and to fight gender disparity in the field. To increase the breadth and depth of student knowledge and relevance of computer science beyond the school, the initiative hopes to include a dedicated three-season CS coach and activity-specific mentors who offer school-wide workshops, facilitate small-group activities and support individual student endeavors, all designed to unlock new opportunities and encourage the active pursuit of student interests. Southern Vermont native Marguerite Dibble will serve as senior consultant to the initiative and help guide development of the co-curricular activities and the Girls Coding program. Marguerite is a graduate of the Champlain College gaming program, and founder of the award winning gaming company GameTheory. “Technology, when used to its best potential, can provide empowerment and opportunity for many. As an industry, technology needs to diversify and broaden, and to do that we need to teach tech enthusiasm in a way that focuses on creativity, empathy, and impact,” said Marguerite. “If we can build a program that helps all kinds of kids see through mentorship, hands on experiences, and self-discovery, that technology skills can be a platform of opportunity for many diverse and exciting careers, that will be a great success.” A major focus of both the curricular and co-curricular offerings will be to “show-by-doing” how computer science can be applied across industries and professions, and to help students pursue computer science internships and career pathways. “Springfield has a long and rich history of innovation,” said Bob Flint, Executive Director of the Springfield Regional Development Corporation. “This initiative in our schools ensures the next generation has the tools get and create innovation jobs of today and the future.” The computer science initiative is part of a larger economic development partnership in Springfield between Springfield Regional Development Corporation and the Vermont-based Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), an organization committed to helping rural economies succeed in the digital age. Significant funding for the initiative has been provided by The Siegel Family Endowment and by a block grant by the the Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) on behalf of the Vermont Women’s Fund, the McClure Foundation and VCF donors. Dan Smith, President & CEO of the Vermont Community Foundation, reaffirmed the foundation’s support. “On behalf of the VCF funders involved, we are excited to be supporting innovative practices in the Springfield School District that will offer more students in the community a chance to develop skills and knowledge that are a crucial step on the path to economic opportunity. This strategic co-funding partnership is a model we hope to see grow into the future.” Katy Knight, Deputy Executive Director for the Siegel Family Endowment, explained their organization’s motivation to support the project. “We believe deeply in the power of computational thinking and being able to engage with technology as creators rather than consumers. It is critical that we equip students everywhere with the skills they need so that the next generation of innovators can come from all parts of the country, bring to the table a diverse set of skills informed by their surroundings. Innovation-driven growth should be accessible to people everywhere, and we are excited to support the vision of the Center on Rural Innovation and the Springfield School District to make that a reality.” The program will launch January of 2018 with full implementation expected for the 2018/2019 school year.
How will this non sense raise test scores? SHS ranks 46 out of 56 high schools in Vermont. My grandmother that ended her 8th grade education in a local, one room school house over 100 years ago had math, grammar, and geography skills well beyond the rank & file of Springfield's graduates. So what's the solution, we'll let the little darlings entertain themselves with silly computer games.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.schooldigger.com/go/VT/schoolrank.aspx?level=3
Very excited to see this program being launched in Springfield. Computers, mobile apps, robotics are nearly ubiquitous and are the foundation of many careers. In addition to the required semester of coding, I'm happy about the opportunities for extra-curricular activities like a robotics team, etc.
ReplyDeleteCool program. Coding, 3d etc. Remember you may not be able to make a living thinking you can have a job where you text and hang out on FB all day. Unless you're idea of living is at mom and dad's when you are 35 years old. However you could become president of the usa by tweeting.
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me how some people lament the lack of tech jobs here in town, and then turn around and bash the programs that will create these jobs. These are the same "up by your bootstraps" types who hypocritically expect the entire world to revolve around their needs. ADAPT OR DIE; the choice is yours.
ReplyDeleteSo, it seems to me that SSD is now shoving the idea of a job in technology down the throats of students who may not want to pursue a career in technology. Hopefully, if this is a "required" class it will count as a science credit and thereby allow a student to not take an additional science class and perhaps take something that they are genuinely interested in or possibly need for a career of their choosing. This should not be a requirement toward graduation, but an elective that students can take if they want to pursue a career in technology.
ReplyDeleteIf "we" want to be in line with the other countries of the world "we" better stress Science and Math and Engineering to students. Else they will just end up using the devices invented and manufactured by "them".
ReplyDeleteTexting, Facebook and games, what more education do you need? Oh i know, how to shmooze off the state, I get it now. Students, don't go that way, take advantage of the high tech. Get a good job. Buy a house and live in the suburbs.
ReplyDeleteGet a good job and live in the suburbs without an education? GOOD LUCK! I grew up in that world; IT NO LONGER EXISTS! If I had the oportunity to do it all again, I would have learned computer science or electronics, instead of believing I could follow in my father's footsteps and work in manufacturing!
Delete5:15 does say take advantage of high tech, not "without an education". And there is nothing wrong with running / programming a cnc mill or 3d processor in the manufacturing business. You have good advice, "learned computer..." But unfortunately. ....
DeleteHonestly, I had trouble following that post; I was simply making a comment. Suffice it to say that I WAS a certified CNC operater/programmer. The only thing "wrong" with that is the lousy money and lack of jobs these days. REAL computer programming pays A WHOLE LOT MORE than CNC, especially since MAZAK lost their patent on conversational language. No more I,J, and K (FANUC) makes it almost as easy as downloading the latest AP on an IPHONE. And don't get me started on the OBSCENE amount of money my friends in electronics made, without breaking a sweat! (3D was in the experimental stage when I got out of the business; there might be something there.) I did well enough in life, but those who chose to learn computers and electronics did a whole lot better!
DeleteAll the reason this school program is a good thing.
DeleteAnything beyond casual exposure to programming is a waste. programming languages are constantly evolving. Looking back at the classes on Basic and Fortran I endured could have been better spent on pure math and science.
DeleteHere's the issue, SHS students lack the most fundamental math and science skills. Roughly a 1/3 of the students drop out and those that remain STILL test in the bottom 1/5 of schools state wide! Mandatory programming classes are not the solution. For administrators to blow smoke up our butt by claiming these classes will increase employment options is irresponsible! Look for yourself, not a single job listing in VT or NH for high school graduate programmers. Yet employers throughout the community are desperate for employees that possess fluent, 9th grade algebra and geometry skills. Think not, ask most any SHS student calculate compound interest or volume of a home heating oil tank.
EXACTLY, 7:36! While there may be some truth about lack of math skills in our students, that's not a reason NOT to teach computer skills. I'm sure SOME of the kids are educated enough to make good use of them. The workforce and its requirements change so rapidly today that learning more advanced skills in high school is critical. By the time many people complete a four-year degree, the jobs they seek are gone. Learning as much as you can in high school gives students a leg up.
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