Press release:
Computing occupations make up two-thirds of all projected new jobs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields according to the latest employment projections released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Yet while computers are everywhere, fewer schools are teaching computer science than 10 years ago. In addition, girls, women and minorities are underrepresented in the computer industry.
To address this concern, the STEM Enrichment program at Genesee Community College (GCC) is hosting a local site for "The Hour of Code" on Saturday, Dec. 12. GCC is joining the worldwide Hour of Code initiative where Computer Science has been posted on homepages of Google, MSN, Yahoo! and Disney. More than 100 partners have joined together to support this movement. Last year, every Apple Store in the world hosted an Hour of Code and even President Obama wrote his first line of code as part of the campaign.
GCC has invited all of its STEM enrichment students, as well as their friends and family members to join the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code. The week-long event is being held across the globe from Dec. 7 through 13.
Founded in 2013, The Hour of Code is a nonprofit organization with more than 100 partners – all focused on helping today's generation of students be ready to learn critical skills for 21st Century success. Go to https://code.org/ for more details, including a Ted Talk featuring founder Hadi Partovi.
Participating GCC students will gather in the College's state-of-the-art computer classrooms on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 12. They will have an engaging overview of computer science career opportunities, and complete one hour of hands-on computer programming.
GCC's STEM enrichment program is operated by the College's ACE (Accelerated College Enrollment) Office, and provides a variety of opportunities for students in grades seven – 12 to connect with STEM through non-credit and college credit courses at GCC.
For more information contact: Karlyn M. Finucane, ACE program specialist, 585-343-0055, ext. 6320
