Author: Jeanette Ramos, Outreach Coordinator, CommUniverCity
The Youth/Girls STEM Network,(Y/GSN) CyberSecurity Computer Coding Project Project connects San José State students to teach 4th-8th grade youth how to code using the program SCRATCH created by MIT. The project is mainly focused on getting girls involved in STEM learning as well as teaching the importance of CyberSecurity.
The students in the community will benefit because computer literacy encourages them to pursue STEM fields and the interaction with SJSU students gives them positive role models which increase a college going culture in their communities. Living in Silicon Valley, it is very important for students to learn about computer coding since many current and future jobs in the area require this type of knowledge.
After-school programswhose students hail from are Horace Mann Elementary THINK Together program, McKinley Elementary After-school program, St. Patrick School and Olinder Boys and Girls Club. The students are in an all-girl and all-boy learning environment which allows them to collaborate more openly amongst themselves. The computer programming instructors and SJSU service learners guide them through small coding activities such as understanding how to translate from numerical language to a word language, and through coding games. At the end of the course, the students will showcase their creations and educate their family members on the importance of keeping their information online safe.
Always refreshing to hear a rational answer.