Raimondo visits middle school to discuss computer science, technology

GOV. GINA M. Raimondo speaks with a student in Thomas Hargreaves' robotics class about the robotic elephant he created. / COURTESY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
GOV. GINA M. Raimondo speaks with a student in Thomas Hargreaves' robotics class about the robotic elephant he created. / COURTESY GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

EAST PROVIDENCE – Three days after she launched a new computer science initiative for all public schools in Rhode Island, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo visited Edward R. Martin Middle School to talk with students about computer science and technology.
Raimondo visited the school’s Google classroom to speak with students about coding and the elephant robot that they created.
“Computer science is the new basic skill,” Raimondo said in a statement. “Programs like the one at Edward R. Martin Middle School are exactly what our students need to be competitive in the job market. Our Computer Science for RI (CS4RI) initiative will give kids an edge, so that they can get good jobs that pay, and Rhode Island becomes an innovation center for years to come.”

The CS4RI program is the state’s first computer science education initiative, and is being conducted in partnership with Microsoft, Code.org, local colleges and universities, and others. It seeks to help every public school in Rhode Island teach computer science classes by December 2017.

Her budget proposal includes $260,000 to support the expansion of computer science programming in grades kindergarten through 12. Only 1 percent of high school students are currently enrolled in computer science classes, according to the governor’s office.

Education and business leaders also weighed in on the CS4RI initiative.

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“All students, whether or not they aspire to become computer scientists, need the skills and knowledge of computer science,” RI STEM Center Director Carol Giuriceo said. “The Rhode Island STEM Center is excited to be part of this statewide initiative.”

Brown University President Christina Paxson said Brown is proud to participate in the project.
“The Bootstrap curriculum, developed in part by Brown faculty, teaches essential skills that can propel students toward fields with significant opportunities in tomorrow’s world. It’s exciting that Bootstrap will be part of this initiative, which is so important for our state,” Paxson said.

Hasbro Inc. CEO Brian Goldner said, “We’re consistently focused on creating a dynamic talent pipeline to support our future growth. I applaud Governor Raimondo for her ambitious computer science education initiative which will ensure that every Rhode Island student has a chance to acquire the skills they need to compete in the innovation economy.”

CVS Health President and CEO Larry Merlo said that “developing a highly skilled, technology-ready workforce” is critical to the success of our state’s economy.
“This comprehensive computer science education will lay a solid foundation for the STEM and IT leaders of the future,” Merlo said.

Meanwhile, the Academy for Career Exploration in Providence has its school model to integrate technology across the curriculum and provide “computer science for all” students.
According to a news release, 100 of ACE’s high school students are scheduled to fulfill requirements to complete the University of Rhode Island Computer Science 101 course, earning four college credits this year.
“Governor Raimondo’s CS4RI initiative will provide the support that is needed to effectively and efficiently align education with the needs of the 21st century workplace. Computer science education is a critical skill at this stage and is necessary to truly help students meet the demands of college and career,” Head of School Mario Cirillo said. “With a focus on student centered learning, and by developing relationships with industry and community partners, we are re-engineering high school education to fully integrate technology and prepare our students to meet future workforce needs.”
The school has been working with Victor Fay-Wolfe, a URI computer science professor, for more than a year to redesign URI’s semester-long virtual CSC 101 course, developing a face-to-face component and extending the course to a full year to meet a high school student’s learning needs. All 202 ACE students are taking the course and could apply for concurrent college credit in the second semester; 118 have chosen to do so, the release said.

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