Computer Science Education experts visit Emerging Analytics Center

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 13:10:48 +0000

Attendees of the first-ever in Arkansas toured the Emerging Analytics Center at the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo on June 10 to learn about the latest innovations in virtual reality and computer science. The summit included representatives from 26 states, including national and international leaders in the field of computer science education, who met to discuss issues such as academic standards, teacher training, budgets, and development of computer science education policy. “This group consists of leaders of computer science education from across the nation,” said Dr. Carolina Cruz-Neira, director of the Emerging Analytics Center. “A lot of the work we do here is a good example of how to get students motivated to learn about computer science and see what they can create. The Emerging Analytics Center is a very high-end place in ��Ƶlogo where we are leading the development of these technologies.” From his first months in office, Gov. Asa Hutchinson has promoted the expansion of computer science education in Arkansas, starting with his signature on Arkansas Act 187, which required all the state’s public and charter high schools to offer a course in computer coding. As these students complete high school, state officials are at a juncture where a clear pathway is needed for these students to transition from high school to college and the workforce. “There are very few jobs today that don’t require advanced computer prowess. As we look at jobs that children will have in 10, 20, and 30 years in the future, you have to think about how these jobs will look in the future,” said Anthony Owen, state director of computer science and chief state STEM officer. “We are leading the nation in K-12 education in computer science. We want educators who are ready to teach these students. We want to create a seamless transition from K-12 education to higher education to the workforce to meet industry needs.” Researchers at the Emerging Analytics Center demonstrated multiple projects created with industry partners, representing how the computer science skills students are learning in the classroom can be used as a future career. One of the apps demonstrated is a virtual visit to Hytrol, an Arkansas-based company, where visitors can see working virtual models of the company’s latest products and appreciate Hytrol’s innovative technology for conveyor systems. “The real workforce at the Emerging Analytics Center is the students. Everything you see here is created by the students,” Cruz-Neira said. Emerging Analytics Center researchers also created an educational augmented reality application targeted to art museums. The app allows users to interact with the art work through their cell phones to learn more about the piece and the artist. Heather Lageman, a summit participant and executive director of leadership development at Baltimore County Public Schools, said she has read about this type of technology in the news and can see how beneficial it would be for students. “I love this app,” Lageman said. “It’s a game changer for students who might not have the opportunity to visit many museums. It allows students to interact with the art in a very personal way.” In the upper right photo, Heather Lageman, a summit participant and executive director of leadership development at Baltimore County Public Schools, uses an educational augmented reality application targeted to art museums.

Facebook launches campaign at UA ��Ƶlogo to promote computer science education in Arkansas

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 15:02:52 +0000

Facebook has inspired the next generation of technology industry leaders in Arkansas with the launch of the “Tech Take Over” campaign at the University of Arkansas at ��Ƶlogo. Nearly 200 high school students from central Arkansas attended an exciting display of virtual reality technology from the UA ��Ƶlogo on Sept. 26. The high school students learned about opportunities in the computer science industry from UA ��Ƶlogo students and tech industry leaders during the event at the George W. Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology. “Tech Take Over” is part of the between Facebook and the state of Arkansas, which was announced earlier this year to generate student interest in computer science education and careers. UA ��Ƶlogo, , , the , and the UA ��Ƶlogo STEM Education Center partnered to bring a technology roadshow to five universities in the state, beginning with UA ��Ƶlogo. “Arkansas is a very forward-thinking state with all the governor is doing to push computer science education,” said Peipei Zhou, director of growth with Facebook’s TechStart program. “We want to help the state with its advancement of computer science, and we want to provide these students with a better future.” Over the next two weeks, Facebook and the Emerging Analytics Center team will bring the “Tech Take Over” event to universities in Jonesboro, Magnolia, Fayetteville, and Pine Bluff. More than 100 high schools from around the state are expected to participate in the events.

Arkansas high school students learn how to use virtual reality apps developed by the UA ��Ƶlogo Emerging Analytics Center during the Sept. 26 “Tech Take Over” event.

“One of the most exciting areas of computer science is virtual reality,” said Dr. Carolina Cruz-Neira, director of the Emerging Analytics Center, who delivered a speech on developing virtual reality applications during the event. “Everything the students are experiencing here will go on the road to locations all across the state. We will reach over 1,000 ninth-through-12th graders around the state to get them interested in virtual reality and computer science.” Facebook’s education initiative helps high school students explore computer science through modern technology. In spring 2017, Facebook donated 400 virtual reality classroom kits to 265 high schools in Arkansas. The kits included computers, cameras, and Oculus Rift equipment. In August, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that Facebook expanded the donation and will provide virtual reality kits to all of the more than 360 public high schools. Each school will receive an Oculus Rift touch controller and 30 virtual reality viewers. Expanding computer science education was a core campaign promise for Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who believes producing a tech-savvy workforce will be a boon to the state’s economy and help secure future jobs in the technology industry. In 2015, Hutchinson requiring public high schools to offer classes in computer sciences. “This is part of Gov. Hutchinson’s campaign promise to bring computer science education to every student in Arkansas,” said Anthony Owen, director of computer science education with the Arkansas Department of Education. “This is also an aspect of his job creation promise and commitment to Arkansas. Computer science is one of the fastest growing industries. We’ve already been able to expand and attract computer and technology industry companies based on our expansion of K-16 computer science education in the state.”

- University News Archive - UA ������Ƶlogo

Computer Science Education experts visit Emerging Analytics Center

Facebook launches campaign at UA ������Ƶlogo to promote computer science education in Arkansas

- University News Archive - UA ��Ƶlogo

Facebook launches campaign at UA ��Ƶlogo to promote computer science education in Arkansas