Wichita, Kan. (Dec. 16, 2020) – On the heels of Computer Science Education Week, Koch Industries is proud to partner with Code.org to fund professional development workshops for Kansas educators, equipping them to bring formal computer science education to classrooms across the state. Koch’s $160,000 commitment is the first Kansas-focused funding with Code.org. The commitment will help fund training for over 60 teachers in the state, impacting approximately 10,000 Kansas students.
According to Code.org, 27 percent of Kansas public high schools currently teach a foundational computer science course, one of the lowest percentages in the country, yet openings in computer science careers are expected to grow at twice the rate of other career fields. The support is an investment in Kansas students, preparing them for careers of the future.
“It gives so much confidence to a teacher to be able to attend something like this – to provide us access to the knowledge and resources – and also empower us to bring it to our classroom. It’s wonderful,” said Christine Lemmon, K-8 technology educator at St. Ann Catholic School and virtual Computer Science Principles Workshop attendee.
More than 100,000 K-12 teachers have prepared to teach computer science through Code.org’s Professional Learning Program and more than 90% recommend it to other teachers, according to Code.org. Science City at Union Station, Code.org’s Regional Partner for Kansas and western Missouri, has been instrumental in making these workshops a reality. Due to COVID-19, the workshops have adapted for a virtual environment – making the experience even more accessible for teachers across the state.
“Koch Industries is excited to expand the Code.org curriculum and resources by making it accessible to Kansas educators and students. The skills computer science education provides are crucial to preparing today’s students for the rapidly changing workforce, and we’re proud to be involved,” said Amy Johnson, community affairs manager for Koch Industries.
Applications to apply for funding to attend the workshops are now open for Kansas elementary, middle and high school educators. To learn more about the opportunity, click here.