KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Computer Science and Information Technology is hosting an Hour of Code event for middle school students.
The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics to create software applications.
The event is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in UNK’s Otto Olsen building, room 110.
Tens of millions of students in more than 180 countries will participate this year in Hour of Code, which is organized by the nonprofit Code.org. UNK’s CSIT Department is teaming with the Association for Computing Machinery student organization to host Hour of Code.
“We want to make sure young people in central Nebraska have the opportunity to learn how to create technology,” said Sherri Harms, chair of the CSIT Department. “This event is an opportunity for students to take part in building technology that can shape their future and the future of our world. Once students see what they create right before their eyes, they’re empowered to keep going.”
Central Nebraska is becoming known as a tech hub, and the demand for IT jobs is growing at three times the state average, Harms said, noting there is an IT workforce deficit in the region.
“Despite this, computer science education is marginalized throughout our K-12 education system – denying access to this critical knowledge, particularly among underrepresented groups and women,” Harms said. “In central Nebraska, only 10 percent of high schools offer a programming course, meaning few students are exposed to computer science concepts.”
For more information or to register middle school students for Hour of Code, visit unk.edu/academics/csit/about-us/HourOfCode.php or call Harms at 308.865.8370.
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Writer: Todd Gottula, Director of Communications, 308.865.8454, gottulatm@unk.edu
Source: Contact: Sherri Harms, Chair CSIT Department, 308.865.8370, harmssk@unk.edu
