Computer Science Integration a Success

A new program launched at SHP this fall to integrate computer science into non-tech classes, a move that will ensure each student will receive instruction in computer science at least four times throughout their high school years.

 

Aided by a donation to the school, a new position was created and alumna Kayla Holman (SHP ’16) was hired to design and implement the new computer science integration (CSI) initiative, as well as work with computer science head and teacher Kevin Morris to plan and propose new course offerings for next year. She also teaches two sections of calculus and supports the robotics club.

 

So far two CSI projects have taken place this school year. Holman visited all algebra 2 and algebra 2/trigonometry honors classes where students undertook a calculator programing project, learning to code the quadratic formula. She also visited every freshman at the school in their modern world history classes, where students developed an app around a history topic of their choosing.

 

“I think it’s incredible that we’re able to jump into their classes and meet them where they are in terms of experience level, whether they’ve never coded before, or whether they’ve been coding a long time,” said Holman. “When developing the app, students utilized skills learned during history class, like how to use citations and conduct research on a historical figure—so our instruction is fully integrated with the class they’re taking.”

 

In the spring semester, all chemistry and chemistry honors courses will incorporate a CSI project, and next year a project is in development for all junior-level religion classes.

 

It’s not Holman’s first foray into teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and computer science with a minor in mechanical engineering from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has several years’ experience designing curriculum and teaching high schoolers machine learning at Inspirit, a Bay Area-based startup focused on immersive educational technology.

 

“That was the bridge between dipping my toes in the water within an education setting and really deciding I wanted to pursue this as my career,” said Holman.

 

But she wouldn’t even be in the computer science field if it hadn’t been for a class she took her senior year at SHP with Kevin Morris.

 

“He was my swim coach for four years; I loved him as a coach so I knew I wanted him as a teacher,” said Holman. “I took AP computer science—I had no idea what computer science was when I jumped into that class, but taking it was probably the best decision I made in high school. I wouldn’t have pursued computer science in college otherwise. I wouldn’t have grabbed coffee with KMo [Morris’ nickname across campus], and I wouldn’t have found out about the position.”

 

Together the pair is excited to be drumming up interest in computer science and proposing more course offerings. And it comes on the heels of real growth and recognition for computer science at SHP—last year the school won an award for achieving greater gender parity in computer science.

 

A computer science club has also “exploded this year, both in terms of membership and activity,” said Morris. In the club, students are learning Python, a programming language, working on independent projects like a live “goatcam” feed at the SHS farm, updating the daily SHP bell schedule app, and hearing from SHP alumni working in computer science in the Bay Area who visit the school as guest speakers.

 

“Our goal is to get people bitten by the computer science bug and wanting to do more,” said Holman. “Computer science is so relevant today—no matter what field these kids end up in, at least someone adjacent to them will be coding. SHP students will be able to understand how computer science works, why we should care about it, and how they can potentially use it to further their career; hopefully these projects are helping them enjoy it.”