Posted on January 19, 2018 at 8:27 AM by Communications Department
The Heritage High School library has been awarded a $25,000 Libraries Ready to Code grant by the American Library Association to launch Full STEAM Ahead, a program that teaches computational thinking and computer science techniques to special education students. Sponsored by Google, the Libraries Ready to Code initiative helps promote computer science and computational thinking among youth. Heritage was one of 28 winners from 21 states and the District of Columbia, with awards totaling over $500,000.
With the use of assistive technology, students will learn to code their own music through a multi-tiered program. One goal of the program is to increase opportunities for students in special education programs to develop 21st Century skills. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to earn a Digital Literacy industry certification. Combining their 21st Century skills and industry certifications, students can take their instruction and use it to explore options related to computer sciences when they transition from high school to postsecondary opportunities.
The grant winners will contribute their results to a national computer science educational toolkit. This is the first time ALA has dedicated funding specifically for computer science programs in libraries.
Visit the
NNPS website to learn more about the Full STEAM program.