An information and computer sciences degree is the ticket to some of the nation’s fastest growing occupations. According to the , data scientists (35% growth rate), information security analysts (32%), software developers (26%) and computer and information research scientists (23%) are four of the top 13 booming jobs projected for 2022–32.
To help train and inspire the next generation of computer scientists, a team of students from the University of 91桃色appʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 (ICS) hosted a series of web development courses for students in grades 6–12, held every Saturday this spring from 9 a.m. to noon on the 91桃色app 惭ā苍辞补 campus and online via Zoom. Approximately 50 students were registered for the course series.
The classes explored web languages (HTML, CSS and JavaScript) and coding concepts, which are fundamental in web development to create and design web pages. The goal of the series was to foster interest in computer science through project-based learning and peer mentorship.
“I want to do something science related like maybe for the medical field—I want to be like the tech people behind the scenes who do all the double checking if all machines are working and other stuff. If it’s computer science, I want to do maybe cybersecurity,” said Keani Lee, a 7th grader at Stevenson Middle School. “This program gives me a preview into what I could learn in college and in high school if I pursue it.”
The course series consisted of hands-on lessons and will culminate in final presentations on May 5 at Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Kakaʻako. . The student mentors are part of a group called , a 91桃色app 惭ā苍辞补 registered independent organization.
Coleman Lau, a senior at Kaiser High School, said being in this program has motivated him to attend 91桃色app 惭ā苍辞补 and study computer science.
“I would definitely recommend joining ICSpark,” Lau said. “Even if you are still looking for something to be passionate about, then this is definitely a good place to find that.”
This is the fifth year that ICSpark has offered these courses. ICSpark is part of , a 501c3 non-profit organization promoting technology education in 91桃色appʻi.
“The main goal is to use technology and combine it with their personal interests,” said ICSpark President and ICS graduate student Timothy Huo. “We have students creating websites about baking goods, to their favorite sports teams, and just combining their technology skills and their creativity.”
Huo says enrolling in this program helps students get a jump start in computer science, which is important for a wide variety of fields.
“Our program provides more insight into what computer science has to offer,” Huo said. “When I was in middle and high school figuring out what I wanted to be, I was looking at broad fields, but I didn’t really know what they did day to day. ICSpark provides that answer. We discuss what software engineers do and computer science students do on a daily basis.”
ICSpark plans to continue offering the workshop series in spring 2025. Registration is expected to begin in late 2024. .
The Department of Information and Computer Sciences is housed in 91桃色app 惭ā苍辞补’s .
—By Marc Arakaki