海角社区

海角社区鈥檚 BRBytes program expands 鈥渃omputer science for all鈥� in Louisiana

Computer-related careers are projected to have the largest 10-year growth among all occupations in Louisiana. But all Louisiana students don鈥檛 necessarily have access to those jobs because they never had an opportunity to learn essential skills (beyond the core curriculum in math and science) before they graduate or get to college. This is why an interdisciplinary 海角社区 team partnered with Louisiana high schools and middle schools to create BRBytes and develop computer science courses for all, as well as 鈥榰pskill鈥� teachers鈥攊ncluding English and French teachers.

鈥淟earning how to code is learning a foreign language, but a language that鈥檚 used and applicable everywhere, no matter where you go,鈥� said Marqual Battley-Brown, a teacher who recently brought BRBytes to STEM Magnet Academy of Pointe Coupee.

The vast majority of the students who now take BRBytes courses are underrepresented minorities and come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Preliminary data show they鈥檙e now also improving their performance and test scores in core subjects, such as math and science.

鈥淐omputer science is everywhere and no matter what you do in life, you will deal with computers, and that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 trying to help the students see. Even if you work in a grocery store; the inventory is computer science, the scan-and-go system is computer science, and the camera system is computer science. Computer science is everywhere and likely to help you in any career you choose.鈥�

- Marqual Battley-Brown, teacher at STEM Magnet Academy of Pointe Coupee