Author Archives: Stacey Armstrong

UT Austin CS – First Bytes Summer Camp for Girls

The University of Texas at Austin Computer Science Department is again holding a Computer Science camp for girls this summer.
The First Bytes Summer Camp for Girls will accept applications through the 23rd of March.
Many of my students have attended past instances of this camp and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Almost all of my students that attended the camp in the past have gone on to either minor or major in Computer Science.
Check it out!

Start’em Early

Computer Science skills can be learned at any age.  I have been going to my sons’ elementary school for the last 3 years at least twice a year, teaching their classes how to create games, animations, and stories.  I have taught them how to use variables, loops, ifs, and lists using Scratch.  All of the boys and girls in each class love it when I come out and they use the skills to create projects throughout the year.  These students all think CS is cool and will have no problem taking Computer Science classes in the future as they are comfortable with the concepts and idea of writing programs.  I hope that I have successfully planted the seeds for a whole crop of future Computer Scientists.

This article discusses the same idea of starting students in Computer Science early and makes some of the same points.

NSA Recruiting

I like to talk to my students in Computer Science about career options and what and where they can do things later on life.
I had all of my classes take a look at the NSA recruiting page to see where NSA had needs.
http://www.nsa.gov/careers/
They were very impressed that Computer Science and Computer Engineering were in high demand.
Several of my students have Cyber Security career ambitions so this is very good information for them to have.

2012 Generation Google Scholarship

2012 Generation Google Scholarship

Deadline to Apply is February 20, 2012

The Generation Google Scholarship is a new program for aspiring computer scientists to excel in technology and become active role models and leaders in the field.  Selected students will receive $10,000 USD (for those studying in the US) or $5,000 CAD (for those studying in Canada) a year for up to four years (or until graduation, whichever comes first) so long as they maintain criteria for renewal.  Recipients will also be invited to attend Google’s Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) in the summer of 2012.

Who Should Apply?

Applicants must be high school seniors and meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Intends to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student at a university in the US or Canada for the 2012-2013 school year
  • Intends to be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a baccalaureate Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related program
  • Exemplifies leadership and demonstrates a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology through involvement in their community
  • Strong record of academic achievement
  • A student from an underrepresented group in computer science (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Female, or a Person with a Disability)
  • Demonstrates financial need

For complete details, visit the Generation Google Scholarship site.

Software Allows Rover to Think

I have a fond appreciate for the Mars Rover program.  Way back in 2001 I was afforded the opportunity to work with JPL and IBM to test the first Mars Rover before it lifted off for Mars.  A group of my former students at Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas worked with several other schools from around the world to test a Rover which was situated in the Arizona desert.  We issued commands to the Rover using a control panel we accessed via the internet and were then able to watch the Rover move based on our commands.  It was amazing as we were using a very early video streaming technology.

Software Allows Rover to Think

This article sheds light on how far the technology running on the Rover has come.  Our tech was not able to think back in 2001 and barely did what we asked after waiting for what seemed like a couple days.  Playing Quake over the web was pretty slow back then as well, but we made do.

CS Ed Week Pledge

Take a minute to read the following message and then go out and pledge your support for CS Ed Week!

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We are wrapping up the third annual Computer Science Education Week (December 4-10), but there’s still time to pledge your principled support for CSEdWeek (no $ required). It takes less than a minute to do so: www.csedweek.org/forms/sign/pledge-step1
Why does it matter? It’s crucial that policy makers and the general public see there is grass-roots support for computer science education. Your pledge helps us demonstrate that support.

If you’re participating in some activity in support of CSEdWeek’s mission, please take the second step in pledging and tell us about it. It doesn’t even have to happen during the week; you can pledge anything you’re doing any time to promote computing or support computer science education.

And, if you only have five minutes to do something in support, here are some ideas on how you can turn those five minutes into support for K-12 computer science education: www.csedweek.org/m/c/zzhcw54r/bkpcjhhm/j2qxjfzt

Thanks in advance for your pledge … it’s important for our future.

UK Wants More Kids Cranking Code

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15923113

This article discusses the view in the UK that students should be “cranking more code” and learning more about Computer Science.  This is currently not the case and there are ongoing discussions about how to beef up the CS educational component.

“The teaching of computer science must become more relevant to modern needs, said the government.”
This quote is great and sends a clear message that change must occur.

Algorithm Speeds Up MRI

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/better-mri-algorithm-1101.html

This is kind of stuff that students need to read and learn about if they are at all interested in Computer Science.
How does Comp Sci make the world a better place?
How can learning Comp Sci skills change the world?
These are important questions and this article helps shed light on the answers.
The article also provides lots of context for how Comp Sci skills are used in the real world.