Bring computer science to your school. Start with an Hour of Code
Computers are everywhere, but fewer schools teach computer science than 10 years ago. Good news is, we’re on our way to change this. If you heard about the Hour of Code last year, you might know it made history. In the first Hour of Code, 15 million students tried computer science. Last year, that number increased to 60 million students! The Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics. Sign up to host an Hour of Code this December 7-13 during Computer Science Education Week. To add your school to the map, go to https://hourofcode.com/us
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Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.
Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat – we’ll post the link there.
Python for Microcontrollers — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: New Thonny and Git Versions, Plenty of Projects and More! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi
I have a few comments – first regarding the top chart, and a couple of follow ups.
# Computer Jobs listed – from my experience there are perhaps 1/5 to 1/10 the ACTUAL number of jobs out there as are listed. For example: there’s an actual job – at XYZ Corp for a Programmer/Analyst (whatever). Then there are 9 other Job Shops – either placement firms or contract shops trying to get that job first, hire a cheap programmer (hourly) and enjoy the difference.
# of Computer Sci Grads – there’s no real requirement for a degree. Certainly not like an EE or Civil Engineer. Two of my best friends – both extremely good developers – neither have a degree. One has a business degree (pre-ComputerSci). The other – no degree at all.
That’s just falling into the University Money trough right there.
Lastly: 75% of ‘our population’ is underrepresented.
I’d add a different pie chart: programmer/developers hired: 99% age 55 & below / 1% age 55 and above. Might even lower that ’55’ age level to 50. There is a TREMENDOUS Youth Bias in hiring. I remember sitting in an interview with three 25-28 year olds – ‘we… just… don’t think you’d fit in here.’ they said. Wow. I was 45 … THEN.
I appreciate the graphs, and the attempt. I just think the numbers are a little off.
I have a few comments – first regarding the top chart, and a couple of follow ups.
# Computer Jobs listed – from my experience there are perhaps 1/5 to 1/10 the ACTUAL number of jobs out there as are listed. For example: there’s an actual job – at XYZ Corp for a Programmer/Analyst (whatever). Then there are 9 other Job Shops – either placement firms or contract shops trying to get that job first, hire a cheap programmer (hourly) and enjoy the difference.
# of Computer Sci Grads – there’s no real requirement for a degree. Certainly not like an EE or Civil Engineer. Two of my best friends – both extremely good developers – neither have a degree. One has a business degree (pre-ComputerSci). The other – no degree at all.
That’s just falling into the University Money trough right there.
Lastly: 75% of ‘our population’ is underrepresented.
I’d add a different pie chart: programmer/developers hired: 99% age 55 & below / 1% age 55 and above. Might even lower that ’55’ age level to 50. There is a TREMENDOUS Youth Bias in hiring. I remember sitting in an interview with three 25-28 year olds – ‘we… just… don’t think you’d fit in here.’ they said. Wow. I was 45 … THEN.
I appreciate the graphs, and the attempt. I just think the numbers are a little off.
Mike Y
Dallas, Texas