Teachers Discuss the Importance of Computer Science in the Classroom

Pictured: Event organizer Professor Stan Silverman addresses attendees of the first Long Island Computer Science and Computational Thinking Conference.

On July 1, more than 150 teachers, union leaders, New York Institute of Technology faculty, instructional technology companies, and other representatives from the education sector attended the first Long Island Computer Science and Computational Thinking Conference at NYIT de Seversky Mansion. Michael Nagler, Ed.D., superintendent of Mineola Public Schools District, delivered the keynote address on the importance of teaching computer science in the classroom. Breakout sessions covered topics such as robotics, creating lesson plans, coding, and more, as well as a presentation on women in computer science delivered by Nada Anid, Ph.D., NYIT vice president for strategic communications and external affairs. The conference was organized to address Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to invest in K-12 computer science education.

“The event was designed to be the first in a yearly convening that will help districts design and implement programs to serve all K-12 students,” said Professor Stan Silverman, M.S., who organized the event along with Carol Weintraub, director of the InterCounty Teacher Resource Center. “NYIT, working with the teacher centers, will help design professional learning community opportunities to help ensure that new state computer science frameworks will be available to all students.”

Attendees at the first Long Island Computer Science and Computational Thinking Conference at NYIT de Seversky Mansion.