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.

England to replace ICT curriculum with Comp Sci

Wanting to better prepare students for the future and prevent them being bored to death, England is replacing its ICT curriculum, which focused on using programs like Excel and PowerPoint, with a curriculum more focused on Computer Science and programming.  This really makes sense.

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.

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.

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.

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.

http://www.kalzumeus.com/2011/10/28/dont-call-yourself-a-programmer/

This is a very interesting post from an engineer that has been working in the industry for over ten years.
I am going to have my students read this so we can discuss it in class.
I am curious to see what they think.

What are Computer Science Contests?

First, this is a rewrite / update of a prior post related to contests.  I needed to include some of this again and update quite a bit as the new CS Contest season is underway here in Texas.  Texas has tons of contests and I feel the contests are great ways to recruit more students.

Computer Science contests are huge in Texas and they should be huge everywhere.  Basically, you have a contest every two weeks if you live in Houston or the surrounding area.

The 7 Lakes Kick-off Classic took place this past Saturday, October 8th.  This contest starts off the statewide contest circuit each year.  The season wraps up each year in May with the UIL State Academic Meet Computer Science Contest.  This state contest is the culmination of all of the local contests.

Each contest typically has a programming component and a written test component.  The programming component consists of a packet of problems that each team must attempt to solve.  A standard packet will have 12 problems.  A more expanded packet may have 18.  Each local contest has the option to create their own packet and set the number of problems.

The UIL Computer Science Contest, a statewide contest in Texas, has 12 problems so that is the number most local contests go with.  The written component consists of a 40 question multiple-choice test.  Test questions focus on logic, algorithms, data-structures, and language features.  All tests used in Texas use Java as the testing language.

Why take teams to contests?

Contests force students into a real team environment with the added pressure of finite time.  Most programming contests only last two hours and only allow teams to use one computer.  Teams must learn how to work together in a timed environment to solve problems.  Students learn valuable teamwork and problem-solving skills in these settings each and every time they compete.

Teamwork is key! Each team of 3 students is allowed to use 1 computer.  All 3 students must share time and learn to work together to get things done.  This is hard for all students, but especially for Computer Science students which typically try to avoid working with other people at all cost.  My students experience tremendous positive growth learning to work in these situations.

Another benefit is that many large software companies use similar problems for interviewing purposes as those often seen in contest packets.  A common programming problem often involves determining if an exit from a maze exists.   A former student of mine was asked to explain solving this exact problem when interviewing for a Google position.

Winning is contagious!  Get a few students to go compete and actually win and your enrollment will spike upwards.  All students want to be a part of a winner.

How do I get involved and help my students prepare?

If you are in Texas, check my contest dates page.  If you are in another state, find out who hosts contests or host your own.   Check out my site for information on hosting your own contest.  Send me an email if you have questions or want to get started.

Encourage your students to solve lots and lots of problems.  I maintain a contest practice site loaded with tons of live problems.  USACO and CodingBat are also great resources for live practice.   Get your students to “crank code” as much as possible.

Looking forward to a great year

The 2011-2012 season is underway and it looks like we will have an awesome year!  Good luck to all!

Hot IT Skills for 2012

This is a great article to discuss with your Comp Sci students or any students for that matter.
It gives students a better perspective of the kinds of things they may be asked to do if they get a job working in IT.

If you really want to know what the IT world looks like, check out the IT Crowd on Youtube.
The Internet episode is a must see!

Calling all digital divas, web chix, and coder girls!

NCWIT seeks high-school-level young women to apply for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing! The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors young women active and interested in computing and encourages them to pursue their passion for technology. Winners get cool prizes, gadgets, and scholarships, and can join a community of like-minded technical women. National award-winners are selected from across the country and Affiliate Award competitions are available in more than 30 regions nationwide.  All girls at all computing levels are encouraged to apply—we’d like to recognize aspirations, not just accomplishments!

National award-winners receive:

• $500 in cash
• A laptop computer
• An engraved award (for both the student and her school)
• An expenses-paid trip to the national Award ceremony (for the student and her parent/guardian) on March 10, 2012

Affiliate Award will vary by state.  Visit www.ncwit.org/award for details on Affiliate competitions.

Competition for the 2012 NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing is open to any U.S. high-school-level female (grades 9-12). Applications will be accepted beginning September 15, 2011, and must be submitted online at www.ncwit.org/award no later than 11:59 PM ET on October 31, 2011.  Winners will be announced December 9, 2011.