News

This month, dozens of schools in North Central Washington will take part in activities to raise awareness about their investments in computer science education, by hosting events like the ‘Hour of Code’.

There are many reasons why educators across the nation are making Computer Science (CS) education a priority for students and families. For some, the need for CS education is a reflection of the economic opportunity and the development of essential workforce skills. That certainly rings true in North Central Washington, where CS skills can be seen in our energy production, agriculture, manufacturing, or data center operations, just to name a few, but there are many more reasons for schools to offer CS education.

CS education incorporates technology with computational thinking, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving skills. CS education can be meaningfully integrated into traditional primary disciplines like language arts, mathematics and science to enhance student development. It can also promote systems thinking, or the ability to understand and intervene in complex systems. And finally, CS education offers students another way to express themselves creatively and students learn that they can have a voice through the creation of new technologies, robotics, or other applications.

As a state, Washington has been working on policy to bolster computer science education. Washington State adopted K-12 computer science learning standards for all public schools, and this past year, passed statutes that will require public high schools to offer at least one computer science course (SB 5088).

Last year, 11 local schools offered evening ‘Hour of Code’ events in December. This year, nearly three times as many schools are opening their doors to welcome students, their families, and the public to take part in the coding events. This is a chance to connect with educators, and learn first-hand about the new ways students are learning.

The Hour of Code began as a one-hour coding challenge to give students and their families a fun first introduction to computer science. This event has become a global learning, celebration, and awareness event. There is no experience needed to participate in an Hour of Code. There is no professional training needed. These events are supported in both Spanish and English and are free to the public.

Local principals, teachers, staff, parent-teacher organizations, and even student volunteers are working together to bring these events to life, and community partners like the Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance (GWATA) and the Apple STEM Network have reached out to many local employers to find computer science professionals to visit each event and share with students and families how they use computer science skills on the job.

For a second year, the North Central Educational Service district has offered strategic planning support and Microsoft Tech Spark has generously provided resources and raffle prizes to help make the event a great experience for participants and is also helping to outreach to volunteers.

Community members are encouraged to follow up with local schools about the event closest to them for more details.

Listing of dates/times/location of community Hour of Code events:

 

School	District	Address	Date	Time
Bridgeport Elementary	Bridgeport	1400 Tacoma Ave, Bridgeport, WA	12/16/2019	6:00 – 7:00 PM
Alpine Lakes Elementary	Cascade	500 Pine St, Leavenworth, WA 98826	Dec. 13 – 15, 2019	During the School Day
Icicle River Middle School	Cascade	10195 Titus Rd, Leavenworth, WA 98826	Dec. 13 – 15, 2019	During the School Day
Cascade High School	Cascade	10190 Chumstick Hwy, Leavenworth, WA	Dec. 13 – 15, 2019	During the School Day
Cascade	Eastmont	2330 North Baker Ave	12/5/2019	5:30 – 7:30 PM
Rock Island	Eastmont	5645 Rock Island Rd, Rock Island, WA 98850	12/6/2019	During the School Day
Grant Elementary	Eastmont	1430 1st St SE, East Wenatchee, WA 98802	12/10/2019	6:00 -7:30 PM
Kenroy Elementary	Eastmont	601 N Jonathon Ave, East Wenatchee, WA 98802	12/10/2019	6:00 -7:30 PM
Lee	Eastmont	1455 N Baker Ave, East Wenatchee, WA 98802	12/11/2019	6:00 – 7:30 PM
Lake Roosevelt K-12 School (Afterschool Program)	Grand Coulee Dam	905 Crest Dr. Coulee Dam, WA 99116	12/18/19	4:30 – 6:00 PM
Manson Elementary	Manson	950 Totem Pole Road	12/5/2019	6:00 – 7:00 PM
Methow Valley Elementary	Methow Valley	18 Twin Lakes Rd. Winthrop WA 98862	12/12/2019	5:45 – 7:15 PM
Garden Heights Elem	Moses Lake	707 E Nelson Rd, Moses Lake, WA 98837	TBD Jan. 2020	6:00 – 7:00 PM
Chief Moses Middle School	Moses Lake	1111 E Nelson Rd, Moses Lake, WA 98837	12/10/19	6:00 – 7:00 PM
North Elementary	Moses Lake	1200 W Craig St, Moses Lake, WA 98837	12/12/2019	3:30 – 5:00 PM
Pioneer Elementary	Quincy	224 J St SE	12/5/2019	5:00 -7:00 PM
George Elementary School	Quincy	401 Washington Way, George, WA 98848	12/5/2019	5:30 – 7:00 PM
Waterville Elementary	Waterville	200 E Birch St, Waterville, WA 98858	TBD Dec. 2019
Pioneer Middle School	Wenatchee	1620 Russell	12/12/2019	6:30 – 7:30 PM
Newbery Elementary	Wenatchee	850 N Western Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801	12/3/2019	6:00 – 7:30 PM
Wenatchee High School	Wenatchee	1101 Millerdale Ave, Wenatchee	12/5/2019	6:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunnyslope Elementary	Wenatchee	3109 School St., Wenatchee, WA 98801	12/5/2019	5:30 – 7:00 PM
Washington Elementary	Wenatchee	1401 Washington St, Wenatchee, WA 98801	12/10/2019	6:00 – 7:30 PM
Lincoln	Wenatchee	1224 Methow St, Wenatchee, WA 98801	12/11/2019	6:00 – 7:30 PM
Lewis & Clark Elementary	Wenatchee	1130 Princeton Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801	12/20/2019	6:00 – 7:00 PM
St. Paul’s Lutheran School	Private School	312 Palouse St, Wenatchee, WA 98801	12/5/2019	6:00 – 7:00 PM
Parque Pardunios	Community-based organization	Community Center – 504 S. Chelan	12/19/2019	5:00 – 8:00 PM
Quincy Valley School	Private School	1804 13th Ave SW, Quincy, WA 98848	12/6/2019	During the School Day

About Apple STEM Network

The Apple STEM Network is an alliance of K-12, Higher Ed, and community partners in North Central Washington. We represent a diverse region with tremendous potential for STEM industry in agriculture, energies and innovation. With our collective effort we intend to: provide a constructive support system for educators who aim to meet the rising challenge for all students to develop 21st century skills and STEM literacy, to integrate community mentorship and promote authentic project-based learning and field experiences for all levels of education, and engage students in exploring the world of opportunities on the horizon through STEM. For more information visit www.applestemnetwork.org

 

About GWATA

Since 1999, GWATA (the Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance) has served as the region’s tech alliance, championing growth and development in North Central Washington. As a 501(c)3, GWATA’s mission is to bring people and technology resources together while supporting entrepreneurs, STEM education, and technology. For more information visit www.gwata.org

 

About the North Central Educational Service District

The North Central Educational Service District is a resource to the 29 districts within the four-county service area, providing professional and timely tools to meet the needs of individual schools and districts, and a reliable point of education-related information for the communities served. The NCESD is a respected resource to other ESDs throughout Washington State. www.ncesd.org