VNR: UH team uses computer science projects to ‘spark’ interest in young minds

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Contact:

Link to video and sound (details below): https://go.hawaii.edu/F8w

***VOSOT script below for consideration***

An information and computer sciences degree is the ticket to some of the nation's fastest growing occupations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 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 Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Department of Information and Computer Sciences (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 UH Mānoa 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. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP. The student mentors are part of a group called ICSpark, a UH Mānoa registered independent organization.

Coleman Lau, a senior at Kaiser High School, said being in this program has motivated him to attend UH Mānoa 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 Technology Outreach Hawaii, a 501c3 non-profit organization promoting technology education in Hawaiʻi.

"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. Check the ICSpark website for updates.

The Department of Information and Computer Sciences is housed in UH Mānoa's College of Natural Sciences.

Link to video and sound (details below): https://go.hawaii.edu/F8w

VIDEO:

BROLL: trt 1:40

Students and mentors in the ICSpark workshop

SOUNDBITES:

Timothy Huo, UH Mānoa grad student and ICSpark President (:14)

"The main goal is to use technology and combine it with their personal interests. So we have students creating websites about baking goods, to their favorite sports teams, and just combining their technology skills and their creativity."

Keani Lee, Stevenson Middle School 7th grader (:19)

"I wanna do something science related like maybe for the medical field, I would wanna do like the tech people behind the scenes who do all the double checking if all machines are working and other stuff. And if it's just computer science, I want to do maybe cybersecurity."

VOSOT SCRIPT:

*Note: ICSpark is pronounced "I-C-Spark"*

INTRO:

A computer science degree is the ticket to some of the most in demand and high paying jobs. To prepare and inspire the next generation of computer scientists in the state, students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa hosted interactive workshops throughout the spring semester.

VO:

The classes were held every Saturday on the Mānoa campus and were open to students from grades 6 through 12. The classes explored fundamentals in web development. The goal was to spark interest in computer science through project-based learning and mentorship.

SOTS:

Timothy Huo, UH Mānoa grad student and ICSpark President

"The main goal is to use technology and combine it with their personal interests. So we have students creating websites about baking goods, to their favorite sports teams, and just combining their technology skills and their creativity."

Keani Lee, Stevenson Middle School 7th grader

"I wanna do something science related like maybe for the medical field, I would wanna do like the tech people behind the scenes who do all the double checking if all machines are working and other stuff. And if it's just computer science, I want to do maybe cybersecurity."

VO:

The students will wrap up the course with final presentations this Saturday at Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Kakaʻako. This is the fifth year UH Mānoa has offered the program, and plans to do it again next spring. Registration begins later this year.

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