Today marks two events. It is the anniversary of the birth of computer science pioneer Grace Hopper and, in the United States, it is the start of Computer Science Education week. And there is a link between the two.

Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) (December 9-15, 2012) is planned as a week long celebration when thousands of people across the United States focus on the need to build strong computer science education programs in schools to ensure that the nation has the skilled workforce it will need to develop future solutions.

CSEdWeek is held each year during the second week in December. The timing was selected to to honor Admiral Grace Murray Hopper who was chosen as the personality to embody this initiative when it began in 2010.

According to its website, CSEdWeek aims to:

• communicate the endless opportunities for which computer science education prepares students in K-12, higher education and careers;
• provide information and activities for students, educators, parents, and corporations to advocate for computer science education at all levels;
• eliminate mis-perceptions about computer science and computing careers.

A major factor in organizing events that try to raise awareness of the importance of computer science is stated as follows:

As the role and significance of computing has grown, the teaching of computer science has dramatically declined: 

• There is insufficient innovative computing curricula for students at all levels
• Few students have the opportunity to study computer science in an engaging and rigorous way
• The lack of ethnic and gender diversity among those who take computer science courses is unacceptable
• Teachers have few opportunities for professional development in computing
• Certification for computer science teachers is virtually nonexistent nationwide

The mention of "gender diversity" is possibly the reason why Grace Hopper was chosen as the figurehead for CSEd  Week, despite the fact that she died in 1992 and CSEd Week started only two years ago.

She certainly had a remarkable career in computer science - a field in which she was an outstanding pioneer. If you don't know why and how she coined the term "bug" for an error and is considered the "Mother of Cobol" read our account of her life and achievements.

More Information

CSED Week website

Related Articles

Grace Hopper, the Mother of Cobol

Grace Hopper Born This Day in 1906

Grace Hopper and the Invention of the Information Age (book review)

Computer Science Education Week -Take the Pledge

Trouble At Code School

Computer Science Education Week 2010

Raspberry Pi or Programming - What shall we teach the children?

 

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