Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS), located on Milwaukee’s northwest side, is celebrating A Week in Tech where students from K4 to 12th grade are engaging in unique activities designed to expose and advance our scholars knowledge in the area of coding specifically, and technology overall.
On top of working with Code.org, CodeMonkey, Kodable and other coding websites, we will be having a panel speaking with high school students about potential careers in tech, some “unplugged” data science activities in the middle school, and each and every one of our Junior Academy and Elementary Academy (over 1,000+!) students engaging in fun and action packed “Hour of Code” activities throughout the week.
In addition to our regular STEM focused education during the Week in Tech which includes;
increased opportunities to work on nationally recognized coding websites like Code.org, CodeMonkey and Kodable; MAS will have a panel conversation for with high school students about potential careers in tech, and a series of data science activities in the middle school. In addition over 1,000 students will be engaging in fun and action packed “Hour of Code” activities throughout the week.
As always, the goal with these offerings is to not only bolster our scholars’ love of learning and persevering through new, sometimes challenging, tasks, but also to open their eyes to the wide world of tech to build interest into potential future careers. At the conclusion of the week students who show an increased interest in said activities will be able to continue their learning path when the week is over. Through our Computer Science and Robotics offerings at the high school level, as well as LEGO Robotics in our Junior Academy and STEAM classes in the Elementary, students of all levels will have a creative outlet to put their technology skills to use.
As we all know, the world of tech is moving at lightspeed. To think that two decades ago smartphones didn’t exist is a tough thing to fathom! Now we have the world at our fingertips at every moment of the day. In response, When speaking with Adam Gruse, Technology Integration Manager for MAS on what community engagement looks like for program implementation he said “From a community standpoint, being supportive and welcoming change is the number one priority. We are just cracking the surface of what tech can do, the time it can save, and the potential learning opportunities it can provide. These opportunities will also open scholars’ eyes to potential careers in tech. For these careers to take off, however, we need to prepare the next generation. If able, help your local schools fund projects that are tech driven, offer a helping hand to come speak to the scholars, and be a presence in and around the classroom. Most importantly, support teachers! It is the hardest job in the world and we are always looking for allies!”
A leader in STEM education, this year at MAS we will be completing over 1,500 HOURS of coding/tech activities in addition to our regular daily coursework and offerings. Is this true, 1500 hours in a week?
An Ally indeed is what we need to assure our students of color have accessible opportunities to career paths and MAS is taking the opportunity to do so through its STEM lens on education. To learn more, please email Uniqua Adams, Director of Development, at [email protected].
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