Coding Arkansas' Future: Computer Science at ASMSA

public class FuturePlanning { public static Student you=new Student(); public static void main(String[] args) { if(you.hasSkill(Skill.PROGRAMMING)==false) { you.apply(School.ASMSA,"acceptCallback"); } else { you.apply(School.ASMSA,"acceptCallback"); } }

}

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts

public static void acceptCallback() { you.enroll(Class.COMPUTER_PROGRAMMING_1); }

Coding Arkansas’ Future Computer Science at ASMSA

CODING ARKANSAS’ FUTURE The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts is proud to lead the way in developing the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and professionals in the fields of computer science and technology.

For more than two decades, ASMSA has provided students with opportunities in computer science, programming and software development at a scale unavailable at any other high school in Arkansas. We are excited about the growth and interest in the topic throughout As the state’s premier public high school— Arkansas as legislators, business leaders, and one of the Top 10 nationwide— educators and other decision-makers ASMSA exists to assist districts and begin to better understand the potential educators in providing appropriately that computer programming and challenging learning opportunities to entrepreneurial thought have in talented and motivated students throughout transforming our state.

Arkansas. Our residential program of 230 students alongside digital learning ASMSA’s students, faculty and staff are experiences in STEM and global languages proud to continue that tradition of reach more than 1,000 students each year. excellence by using new and innovative Enrichment programs spark interest in strategies that engage students in STEM and the arts. Professional computer science. We hope you enjoy development opportunities for teachers seek this introduction to the many exciting to provide best practices in student things happening at ASMSA and engagement. Through these different projects, welcome the opportunity to partner with our institution proudly serves the academic others who share a passion for working needs and interests of the state. together to code the future of our state.

ALL ASMSA STUDENTS complete at least one semester of computer programming as part of the school’s graduation requirements. Exploring computer science is a great tool for engaging students in problem solving, critical reasoning, collaboration and creative thought.

ADDRESSING A NEED Since the overarching goal of ASMSA is to provide a mechanism for increasing the number of young Arkansans who earn college degrees in STEM fields—and thus the number of individuals who are well-positioned to contribute to advanced economic development in the state—the General Assembly’s investment in these emerging young leaders is an investment in Arkansas’ future.

A recent study by the American Psychological Association demonstrated that ASMSA and its peers increase the likelihood of graduates earning a degree in a STEM field by 60 percent. This is due not only to the advanced coursework students have access to through ASMSA programs but also our approach to hands-on, minds-on learning through research, critical inquiry and project-based learning. ASMSA has an exemplary track record of providing both rigorous and vigorous academic experiences in high school while positioning students for continued success in STEM in college and beyond.

With a growing technology sector in Arkansas and a critical shortage of local talent in computer science, we need more young adults in to pursue careers in the field. Nationally,

unemployment in computer science-related fields stands at a remarkably low 3.4 percent, and the availability of jobs in this sector is expected to increase 20 percent by the year 2020.

While male interest in computer science has rapidly increased since 2004 and the advent of the mobile age, interest in the sector by women has actually 1 out of decreased. The number of every 4 computing degrees or high school certificates to women has students dropped by almost 30 percent, in Arkansas contributing to an even greater who learn gender gap in an already to code male-dominated industry. attend ASMSA.

As of 2014, Arkansas is one of 38 states that do not allow computer science courses to count toward core science or mathematics graduation requirements. Because of this limitation and perceived lack of value, only a couple dozen Arkansas public school districts offer coursework in computer programming or hardware engineering to a population of less than 700 students. This is a shame because the Girl Scouts Research Institute reported in 2012 that 3 percent of high school girls say they are interested in pursuing computer science.

ASMSA believes that cultivation of interest in computer science throughout high school is an essential method of inspiring more students to pursue further study in the field.

Computer Programming I Computer Programming I is an introductory computer science course using the Java programming language. Because the development of computer programs to solve problems is a skill fundamental to the study of computer science and is increasingly important in all fields of applied sciences, a large part of the course is built around the development of computer programs or parts of programs that correctly solve a given problem.

Computer Programming II Computer Programming II is designed to provide a challenging course that will improve students’ computing skills and expose them to more in-depth material on topics covered in the Computer Programming I course such as abstraction, logic and data structures.

Programming methodology will be the focus of this course with a stronger emphasis on problem solving and algorithm development. This course is primarily designed for students considering Computer Science or Engineering as major areas of college study.

C++ Good programming style is stressed. Topics included are: documentation of programs, structuring programs, top-down design of programs, linear program flow, decision structures, loops, internal sorts and classes. The student will have an understanding of these topics from Computer to Programming I. They will learn the syntax of C++ and how these topics are implemented using C++. Procedural programming and object oriented programming will be covered.

ADVANCED CURRICULUM We believe that students must be more than passive users of technology. These digital natives should have a firm understanding of how the hardware, software and online tools that power our world really work. It’s not enough to simply be users of technology. ASMSA strives to enable the next generation of innovators and makers.

Beyond the basic principles of coding, study in computer science promotes critical reasoning, problem solving, teamwork, data analysis and other 21st century skills.

Because of this added value, ASMSA requires all students to complete at least one semester of learning in computer science and coding. ASMSA is the only high school in Arkansas to include programming as a required component of our curriculum.

Through the ASMSA Concurrent Core in partnership with the University of

11 CLASSES are

Arkansas at Little Rock’s College of Engineering and Information Technology, ASMSA students can complete most of the requirements in programming, physics, mathematics and the humanities for sophomores seeking undergraduate computer science degrees — all before they finish high school. Core courses available for college credit include Intro to Computer Science, Programming II as well as Data Structures and Algorithms.

Students are invited to continue their explorations in programming, networking and hardware engineering through elective courses such as Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Introduction to Web Application Development, Introduction to Computer Networking, C++, Python, Game Programming, Mobile Applications, Graphics Programming as well as 3D Printing and Modern Manufacturing.

offered in a variety of levels and languages to engage students in a wide range of computer science and programming topics.

INNOVATIVE OPPORTUNITIES Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency and Collective Computing ASMSA was the first high school in the nation to receive a donation in the form of Bitcoin. Using the proceeds of the gift, ASMSA will also become the first high school in the country to offer a course on cryptocurrency and collective computing.

Like many of ASMSA’s hallmark courses, the class will feature an interdisciplinary approach to the topic. A combination of mathematics, computer science, humanities and economics faculty will collaborate on the course development and delivery.

Google Glass Explorers Program As interest in wearable technology continues to grow, ASMSA was the only high school in Arkansas invited to participate in the Google Glass Explorers program. Students were able to explore the uses of the device, provide feedback on its applications in personal as well as professional use and develop “glassware” for the device. Participation in the Explorers program is a component of ASMSA’s commitment to ensuring students have access to new and emerging technologies.

3D Printing ASMSA’s 3D Printing and Modern Manufacturing course helps students learn 2D and 3D drafting applications in the context of industry standard just-in-time manufacturing techniques. The class uses computer aided drafting, 3D printing, CNC milling and laser cutting to actualize student designs. This unique course was developed by instructor Nick Seward, who has gained attention globally among the open-source 3D printing community for his novel printers.

OUTREACH AND ACCESSIBILITY ASMSA’s efforts to develop interest and talent in computer programming is not limited exclusively to high school juniors and seniors enrolled in the residential program. We believe that providing opportunities to learn coding, hardware and other technologies at the middle and early high school level through outreach programs is an important strategy in sparking interest in these fields for students. <g1rls_c0de> As part of our ongoing outreach programs, ASMSA has developed a very successful and much sought out Science and Engineering Institute (SEI), which has provided engagement for more than 1,500 students in grades 6-10 STEM Pathways Digital Learning to date in central Arkansas and beyond. SEI, SEI@ in locations throughout Arkansas and Summer SEI afford motivated students with Under the provisions of Act 1280 and in partnership with free enrichment classes meant to promote hands-on, minds-on learning. the Arkansas Department of Education, ASMSA has launched the STEM Pathways digital learning initiative. The no-cost Thanks to the support of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, ASMSA program bridges gaps in curriculum in small and rural districts throughout Arkansas while providing students with access to will launch the first installment of <g1rls_code>, our newest SEI dynamic ASMSA faculty. In addition to Advanced Placement program. A cohort of 40 girls in eighth and ninth grades will explore and pre-AP coursework in mathematics, biology and physics, both computer programming and hardware engineering through the ASMSA is proud to be the only Arkansas entity offering online Raspberry Pi platform. The $35 device will be provided to each learning to high school students in computer science. student and will be hers to keep at the end of SEI+. Students interact directly with the hardware to bring the machine to operational ability, The STEM Pathways program will offer ADE’s newly-approved including adding on additional tools such as a WiFi adapters, sensors, Mathematics and Computer Science course in Fall 2015 cameras and other peripherals. Students will learn introductory coding and the in-development AP Computer Science Principles course in Fall 2016 through the Pathways program. skills using the Scratch programming language.

STUDENT SUCCESSES ASMSA computer science students have fared well at the Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair and the International Science and Engineering Fair. Two students placed in the top 5 in the state for the computer science-based projects. One project earned special recognition from the Association for Computing Machinery at ISEF. ASMSA teams have consistently won state CyberPatriot competitions that focus their critical thinking and technology skills. The competition, created by the Air Force Association, helps students gain valuable knowledge of cyber security and modern technology.

ASMSA students won first place in the annual University of Arkansas High School Programming Contest, sponsored

by Acxiom and the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery. ASMSA has also competed in the Acxiom Collegiate Programming Contest as the only high school team.

Two ASMSA students were honored as emerging talent in the field by the National Center for Women and

Information Technology Aspirations in and events to further develop the app Computing Award winners for the Arkansas for Pebble and other smartwatch and Northeast Oklahoma region. platforms.

ASMSA students developed a smartwatch app that allows users to keep track of their smartphone for the first Arkansas High School Startup Weekend.

The students are pursuing avenues to turn the app into a working model that can be marketed for smartwatch owners. They have attended additional hackathons

ASMSAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BEST Robotics team won the BEST Award, considered the highest achievement a team can accomplish, at the 2014 UALR Little Rock BEST competition. The team followed that with a third-place finish in robot performance at the regional competition, putting it in the top 1 percent in the nation.

ABOUT ASMSA The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts was established by Act 305 of 1991 and created a residential school for eleventh- and twelfthgrade students. The purpose of the school is to educate the gifted and talented math, science and arts students of the state and to develop curriculum and materials to improve instruction for all students in the State. In 2004, the school became a campus of the University of Arkansas System.

The mission of ASMSA is to create, encourage and sustain, throughout the State of Arkansas, an educational community of academically talented students, faculty and staff that pursues knowledge of mathematics, sciences and the arts. As one of only 16 public, residential STEM schools in the country, ASMSA specializes in the education of students with an interest in advanced careers in math and science as well as passion for and creativity within studio and digital arts.

All classes are taught at the college level, and the school offers more than 60 courses that allow students to earn college credit.

Many ASMSA graduates begin college at

the sophomore level, and some even begin with junior-level classes. Through the Concurrent Core program, all ASMSA graduates earn at least 30 hours of college credit via partnerships with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and National Park Community College. The living and learning environment at ASMSA provides an experience that extends beyond the classroom and after graduation.

In 2014, ASMSA was recognized by The Daily Beast as one of the nation’s Top 10 high schools in the website’s annual survey of “America’s Top High Schools.”

The school’s more than 2,000 alumni are making a difference both in Arkansas and across the globe thanks to the world-class learning experiences available at ASMSA. ASMSA is an opportunity available to all Arkansas high school students through a competitive admissions process. Thanks to funding from the General Assembly, housing, tuition and meals are provided to students at no cost. Such support ensures equity in access to this opportunity.

As a result, ASMSA has the highest percentage of students from low-income backgrounds of all of its peer institutions across the nation.

Learn more at www.asmsa.org.