Bytemarks Cafe’s Computer Science in Education

Burt Lum hosted his Bytemarks Cafe Podcast with Sen Michelle Kidani, Vice President of the Senate and Chair of the Education Committee and Ian Kitajima, President of PICHTR, to talk about computer science policy and advocacy and the work to roll this out in the Department of Education.

Summary of the podcast on Computer Science Policy and Advocacy

• The podcast featured Senator Michelle Kidani, Vice President of the Senate and Chair of the Education Committee, and Ian Kitajima, President of PICHTR, discussing the implementation of computer science in education in Hawaii.

• Senator Kidani reflected on her initial interest in computer science education, sparked by witnessing student engagement with digital tools provided by Ian Kitajima.
• The collaboration began in 2017 when they presented at a professional development event for teachers, which ignited further interest in integrating computer science into the curriculum.

• Senator Kidani emphasized the importance of preparing students for future careers in technology to reduce brain drain from Hawaii.
• Ian Kitajima shared how initial discussions with Senator Kidani led to the introduction of computer science and design thinking bills, which eventually became laws.
• The introduction of these policies has resulted in every public school in Hawaii offering at least one computer science class.

• Senator Kidani noted that gaining support from her colleagues was facilitated by their personal connections to students interested in technology.
• The passing of Act 51 in 2018 established a statewide computer science curriculum for K-12 students, incorporating design thinking.
• The importance of budget considerations and teacher training was highlighted as essential for the successful implementation of the curriculum.

• Ian Kitajima discussed the role of community support in mobilizing resources and training for teachers, which was crucial for the program’s success.
• The initial workshops aimed at training teachers were instrumental in building momentum for computer science education in schools.

• Kitajima clarified that the goal of introducing computer science is not to turn every student into a computer scientist but to engage them in critical thinking and problem-solving through iterative learning.
• The discussion emphasized that computer science education fosters skills such as teamwork, communication, and creative problem-solving.

• Senator Kidani mentioned that the Department of Education reports significant student enrollment in computer science courses, indicating strong interest.
• The conversation shifted to how computer science education could diversify Hawaii’s economy by preparing students for careers in various technology fields, including cybersecurity and green energy.
• Kitajima pointed out that the pandemic highlighted the need for digital literacy, which is essential for remote work and learning.

• Senator Kidani encouraged students to explore available computer science courses and engage with their schools to find programs that interest them.
• The podcast concluded with gratitude expressed to both guests for their contributions and a reminder of the next episode’s topic.

Listen to the podcast here.