Home » News » Education
January 28. 2013 9:15PM
CONTOOCOOK - For nearly 15 years, Hopkinton High School students have been participating in engineering courses through Project Lead the Way. Starting next fall, the school will introduce a new course to get kids ready to face the high-tech world.
Unified Arts Department head Will Renauld said Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit program that helps bring engineering to high school students, has made Hopkinton High School a pilot school for its new computer science and software engineering program. The course is designed to give students exposure to data collection and processing and software design, offering them a chance to experience the kind of skills that are in high demand in the computer science and information technology industries.
"Two years ago, we had about 20 students express interest in a computer science and computer programming courses and that's what prompted Will Renauld to start looking into options," said Principal Chris Kelley. "We try to be ahead of the curve as much as we can."
The computer science component of the engineering curriculum, which will teach kids a variety of skills including designing Android applications, will complement the six other classes in the program which include digital electronics, engineering design, and civil engineering and architecture.
Through Project Lead the Way, teacher Kate Backman will be sent to a training program in California to learn how to teach the course. That training will start as soon as school gets out in the summer so that Backman will have time to prepare the course for the fall.
"The teacher training is free," said Renauld, "and Kate will be among 49 educators from across the country who will be field-testing the curriculum."
The skills Backman learns at training will be introduced to the students next school year, but Renauld said the class will be a work in progress that Hopkinton students will be able to help make better.
"Because we're a pilot school, we'll be able to give input into the program as we go along so that Project Lead the Way can fine-tune the course," he said.
nfoster@newstote.com
Hopkinton High to add a computer science course
Unified Arts Department head Will Renauld said Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit program that helps bring engineering to high school students, has made Hopkinton High School a pilot school for its new computer science and software engineering program. The course is designed to give students exposure to data collection and processing and software design, offering them a chance to experience the kind of skills that are in high demand in the computer science and information technology industries.
"Two years ago, we had about 20 students express interest in a computer science and computer programming courses and that's what prompted Will Renauld to start looking into options," said Principal Chris Kelley. "We try to be ahead of the curve as much as we can."
The computer science component of the engineering curriculum, which will teach kids a variety of skills including designing Android applications, will complement the six other classes in the program which include digital electronics, engineering design, and civil engineering and architecture.
Through Project Lead the Way, teacher Kate Backman will be sent to a training program in California to learn how to teach the course. That training will start as soon as school gets out in the summer so that Backman will have time to prepare the course for the fall.
"The teacher training is free," said Renauld, "and Kate will be among 49 educators from across the country who will be field-testing the curriculum."
The skills Backman learns at training will be introduced to the students next school year, but Renauld said the class will be a work in progress that Hopkinton students will be able to help make better.
"Because we're a pilot school, we'll be able to give input into the program as we go along so that Project Lead the Way can fine-tune the course," he said.
nfoster@newstote.com
- Game 1 thriller goes to Bruins in OT - 0
- Bruins vs. Rangers: Here we go again - 0
- Bruins win Game 7 in overtime in epic comeback - 2
- Bruins’ scoring woes continue; series finale tonight - 0
- Goalie Reimer brilliant against Bruins as Leafs force Game 6 - 0
- Krejci 'tricks' Toronto, Bruins one win from advancing - 0
- Bruins beat Toronto for series lead - 0
- Bruins strong out of the gate, beat Toronto to open playoffs - 0
- History means nothing in Bruins-Leafs series - 0
Bruins cruise to Game 2 win over Rangers
READER COMMENTS: 1- Updated: NH House defies Hassan, kills casino bill by 35-vote margin - 16
- Threats at Goffstown High ‘not credible’ - 0
- House votes to ban lead sinkers and jigs an ounce or under - 8
- House passes auto dealers bill of rights - 2
- Rochester man facing up to 30 years in prison for brutal assault - 1
- Man who confronts burglar in Nashua gets bit - 0
- Police say Nashua man struck woman with Jeep - 0
- Pease chosen to receive new KC-46A refueling tanker; to bring 100 jobs - 9
- FBI agent kills Florida man during questioning about Marathon bombing suspect - 3
Updated: Car may have started itself, crashes, burns at Manchester Home Depot
READER COMMENTS: 5| Follow us: | ||
 |
 |
 |
- Should schools do more to police food and beverages consumed at school?
- Yes
- 29%
- No
- 71%
- Total Votes: 112