Should computer science be taught in schools?

This lack of exposure is evident by looking at the number of students enrolled in AP computer science classes.

Out of the AP computer science classes that are taken, only 15% are females and 8% are African American or Hispanic.

Won't it be difficult to implement computer science in schools due to funding?

If computer science is taught as a core topic then it will take away from the other core classes and will hurt their grades!

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Should computer science be taught in schools?

Funding also would not be an issue. All that is necessary is a computer. A teacher is preferrable but there are plenty of coding programs that are online for free. Most schools have access to computer labs and that is all that is needed.

These arguments are easily refutable. Computer science would help students in other classes as they are learning problem solving and valuable learning skills through being educated in computer science.

This lack of exposure leads into college, with there being a small amount of computer science majors

Computer science is used in/for:

• Mobile Phones
• Automobiles
• Mostly any piece of technology
• Street lights
• Planes

This question has already answered itself through the progression of technology. A better way to answer this question is to merely provide examples of what computer science is used for.

If nearly all humans have some form of computer science acting on them or are a part of their lives shouldn’t we be educated on it?

I personally believe that many people do no understand what computer science consists of. For this reason it should be taught in schools. By teaching computer science the students will learn much more than just computer science, they will gain invaluable knowledge, skills, and future opportunities.

It is not that humans need computer science, it is more the fact that humans have become so reliant on computer science and technology that we as a group of people are at a point where cannot turn back.

How is this relevant to teaching computer science in schools?

Right now it is predominately white males, if more people of all races and genders were exposed then it is possible that the field would become more diverse. This is a result of little to no exposure of computer science to the students in schools.

With all this knowledge and skills that are gained with computer science, you may be wondering, now what?

What is computer science?

Why do we need Computer science?

Computer science is the scientific and practical approach to computation and its applications. It is the systematic study of the feasibility, structure, expression, and mechanization of the methodical procedures(or algorithms) that underlie the acquisition, representation, processing, storage, communication of, and access to information.

What is the argument?

These are the two strongest counter arguments I have encountered when researching whether computer science

should be taught in schools or not.

Computer science should be more heavily taught in schools and even become a core class. By teaching computer science in schools, students will be setting themselves up for the future, will learn to work well with computers and technology, and will be learning invaluable skills that will help them succeed in their other classes.

There is a lucrative job field that has a lot of openings due to a lack of students studying the computer science field due to a lack of exposure.

There are three main reasons why we should teach computer science in schools:

• Knowledge and learning skills that will be gained
• Job possibilities
• Creating diversity in the computer science field

When these students are taught computer science they will be learning skills such as:

• Programming
• Working with software and systems of computers
• Learning how to analyze data
• Working with hardware of computer

These skills are the ones that a student is assumed to learn when they take courses regarding computer science. What most people do not know is that computer science teaches skills that are valuable in all aspects of life.

These problem solving skills are very valuable in today's work force as they are becoming needed more.

Computer science teaches skills such as:

• Invaluable problem solving skills
• Learning how to work well in a team
• Communication skills
• Organization skills
• Presentation skills

Through working in groups, working to solve problems that require unique solutions, and organizing and presenting code a student learns more than just computer science in itself. The student learns how to work with a group of people or as an individual to complete an objective. The student will gain skills that will not only help them with their other courses in school, but will also help them in their future.

By 2020 it is predicted by Code.org that there will be a 1,000,000 unfilled programming positions. This is a $500 billion loss of money. It has also been shown that there are less computer science majors than there were ten years ago.

According to Code.org, out of all math and science students only two percent are computer science students. Out of all math and science jobs there are 60% that apply to computer science students while only 40% applies to other jobs.

• Talk to school you would like to see computer science taught in
• Raise awarness of the importance of computer science
• Educate yourself/child on computer science through coding school programs such as code academy
• Try to convince school boards on neccesity of computer science in regards to real world knowledge.

As of now, there are plenty of job opportunities for students who have been educated in computer science but there are not enough people to fill them. If schools put more of a focus on computer science in their curriculum then there will be more students who will pursue an education in computer science. The students will then fulfill these jobs which tend to be high-paying.

What can YOU do to help have computer science become a focus in the schooling system?

If computer science was taught in schools, it would also lead to a more diverse computer science work field.

If computer science is introduced to all types of students in schools at an earlier age, more students will have an interest in the topic and pursue it in college and as a career.