Resources
Parents & Community
ACM Computing Careers Website
This website provides details that will help you prepare for a career in the exciting field of computing.
This website provides details that will help you prepare for a career in the exciting field of computing.
ACM Student Research Competition
The ACM Student Research Competition (SRC), sponsored by Microsoft Research, offers a unique forum for undergraduate and graduate students to present their original research at well-known ACM sponsored and co-sponsored conferences before a panel of judges and attendees.
The ACM Student Research Competition (SRC), sponsored by Microsoft Research, offers a unique forum for undergraduate and graduate students to present their original research at well-known ACM sponsored and co-sponsored conferences before a panel of judges and attendees.
America’s Got Talent
This resource provides the rationale for CS Principles, a new Advanced Placement computing course in Development by NSF and the College Board, and describes how to support its implementation in the school system.
This resource provides the rationale for CS Principles, a new Advanced Placement computing course in Development by NSF and the College Board, and describes how to support its implementation in the school system.
By the Numbers (PDF)
Statistics on women and information technology developed by NCWIT.
Statistics on women and information technology developed by NCWIT.
Change the Equation
Our nation’s future hinges on our ability to prepare our next generation to be innovators in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Yet far too few of our students are prepared for the challenges ahead, and other countries are leaving us in their wake. Now, more than 100 companies are joining forces to work with schools and communities to change the equation for our youth and our nation.
Our nation’s future hinges on our ability to prepare our next generation to be innovators in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Yet far too few of our students are prepared for the challenges ahead, and other countries are leaving us in their wake. Now, more than 100 companies are joining forces to work with schools and communities to change the equation for our youth and our nation.
CMU Resources Promoting Excitement of Computer Science
The members of Carnegie Mellon's Women@SCS have put put together a number of resources illustrating the many exciting areas of computer science. Parents, teachers, and students can browse the site and download resources such as posters, powerpoint roadshows, and brochures.
The members of Carnegie Mellon's Women@SCS have put put together a number of resources illustrating the many exciting areas of computer science. Parents, teachers, and students can browse the site and download resources such as posters, powerpoint roadshows, and brochures.
Computational Thinking
Resources and curriculum for educators on Computational Thinking from Google.
Resources and curriculum for educators on Computational Thinking from Google.
Computer Science Unplugged - Unplug Your Classroom
The CS Unplugged program-in-a-Box is a free, downloadable guide to using the CS Unplugged activities.
The CS Unplugged program-in-a-Box is a free, downloadable guide to using the CS Unplugged activities.
CS in Sports Poster
This engaging new classroom poster invites students to make connections between computer science and their favorite sports and games.
This engaging new classroom poster invites students to make connections between computer science and their favorite sports and games.
CS Unplugged Demos
YouTube Videos demonstrating Unplugged activities.
YouTube Videos demonstrating Unplugged activities.
CSEdWeek Daily Videos
As part of its commitment to support CSEdWeek (Dec. 5-11, 2010) activities, the Computer Science Teachers Association has created a series of videos that schools and teachers can use for morning announcements or in the classroom. These video files are intended to inform and engage students and to help them understand the many opportunities computer science provides.
As part of its commitment to support CSEdWeek (Dec. 5-11, 2010) activities, the Computer Science Teachers Association has created a series of videos that schools and teachers can use for morning announcements or in the classroom. These video files are intended to inform and engage students and to help them understand the many opportunities computer science provides.
Dot Diva
Dot Divas are the new face of computing. They believe in the potential of computing to redesign the future and build a better world. They’re young women with the power and passion to make a difference.
Dot Divas are the new face of computing. They believe in the potential of computing to redesign the future and build a better world. They’re young women with the power and passion to make a difference.
Dot Diva Brochure
Order copies of the free Dot Diva brochure for your high school classroom, club, event, or afterschool program (we’ll also ship them to you for free).
Order copies of the free Dot Diva brochure for your high school classroom, club, event, or afterschool program (we’ll also ship them to you for free).
Dot Diva Launch Video
See video highlights on You Tube from a Dot Diva event for high school girls.
See video highlights on You Tube from a Dot Diva event for high school girls.
Dot Diva Poster
Hang this free poster in your classroom, library, or recruiting office to encourage girls to consider pursuing careers in computing.
Hang this free poster in your classroom, library, or recruiting office to encourage girls to consider pursuing careers in computing.
Dot Diva Webisode
KATE, a sarcastic fan of alt- and indie-rock. ALI, a lover of kittens, chick flicks, and the mall. Two girls with NOTHING in common... except for being ace programmers at a seriously-crazy video game company. As they work to launch Rocklette's first-ever game, these two Dot Divas have to outwit their smarmy boss, Kate's doofus boyfriend, and the spy within their midst.
KATE, a sarcastic fan of alt- and indie-rock. ALI, a lover of kittens, chick flicks, and the mall. Two girls with NOTHING in common... except for being ace programmers at a seriously-crazy video game company. As they work to launch Rocklette's first-ever game, these two Dot Divas have to outwit their smarmy boss, Kate's doofus boyfriend, and the spy within their midst.
Find Hidden Messages in Songs
This activity involves listening to songs and finding hidden messages based on the same principle as a modem. The binary number activity briefly mentions how text could be coded using sound -- high and low beeps represent binary digits, which in turn can be decoded to numbers that represent the letters of the alphabet.
This activity involves listening to songs and finding hidden messages based on the same principle as a modem. The binary number activity briefly mentions how text could be coded using sound -- high and low beeps represent binary digits, which in turn can be decoded to numbers that represent the letters of the alphabet.
Ideas for hands-on computing activities
Visit http://www.howtosmile.org and search "computing" or "programming" for a list of downloadable activities. The site is free and provides information on the
Visit http://www.howtosmile.org and search "computing" or "programming" for a list of downloadable activities. The site is free and provides information on the
iPhone Application Developer Video
Computer science skills enhance the things kids are capable of achieving. Some use them in really impressive ways, like Thomas Suarez, a 12-year-old who developed apps for the iPhone®, iPod Touch® and iPad®. Enjoy watching Thomas speak about his apps in this truly inspirational video!
Computer science skills enhance the things kids are capable of achieving. Some use them in really impressive ways, like Thomas Suarez, a 12-year-old who developed apps for the iPhone®, iPod Touch® and iPad®. Enjoy watching Thomas speak about his apps in this truly inspirational video!
More CS Unplugged resources
Check out the CS Unplugged website for more activities and resources, as well as multiple language versions.
Check out the CS Unplugged website for more activities and resources, as well as multiple language versions.
Moving Beyond Computer Literacy: Why schools should teach computer science
Use this handy resource to inform policy makers at your school about the importance of quality computer science education.
Use this handy resource to inform policy makers at your school about the importance of quality computer science education.
NCWIT Computing Jobs Data By State
Computing Education and Future Jobs: National, State, and Congressional District Data -- See NCWIT's interactive map of computing education and workforce data to see what the story is where you live.
Computing Education and Future Jobs: National, State, and Congressional District Data -- See NCWIT's interactive map of computing education and workforce data to see what the story is where you live.
NCWIT Outreach Resources
NCWIT outreach resources are well-researched, well-designed, and well-suited to appeal to all kinds of audiences interested in CS outreach to women and girls.
NCWIT outreach resources are well-researched, well-designed, and well-suited to appeal to all kinds of audiences interested in CS outreach to women and girls.
NCWIT’s “Heroes” Podcasts
Audio Interview - NCWIT Heroes is a series of magazine-style audio interviews highlighting women and men entrepreneurs in information technology (IT) careers. NCWIT Heroes are women and men innovators from small companies, larger corporations, and non-profits, whose ideas and products are changing the way we think, work, play, and communicate.
Audio Interview - NCWIT Heroes is a series of magazine-style audio interviews highlighting women and men entrepreneurs in information technology (IT) careers. NCWIT Heroes are women and men innovators from small companies, larger corporations, and non-profits, whose ideas and products are changing the way we think, work, play, and communicate.
NCWIT’s Reports and Articles
NCWIT reports present compelling research and data in easily digestible packaging and are authored by some of the most esteemed gender and science researchers in the country.
NCWIT reports present compelling research and data in easily digestible packaging and are authored by some of the most esteemed gender and science researchers in the country.
NCWIT: Gotta Have IT
A select set of high-quality posters, computing and careers information, digital media and more, the resource kit builds awareness and inspires interest in computing.
A select set of high-quality posters, computing and careers information, digital media and more, the resource kit builds awareness and inspires interest in computing.
Promising Practices for Recruiting, Retaining & Advancing Women in IT
NCWIT promising practices use social science research as a foundation for advice, case studies, and activities that are proven to attract, retain, and advance girls and women in IT.
NCWIT promising practices use social science research as a foundation for advice, case studies, and activities that are proven to attract, retain, and advance girls and women in IT.
Rising Above the Gathering Storm
In a world where advanced knowledge is widespread and low-cost labor is readily available, U.S. advantages in the marketplace and in science and technology have begun to erode. A comprehensive and coordinated federal effort is urgently needed to bolster U.S. competitiveness and preeminence in these areas. This Congressional requested report by a preeminent committee makes four recommendations along with 20 implementation actions that federal policy-makers should take to create high-quality jobs and focus new science and technology efforts on meeting the nation's needs, especially in the area of clean, affordable energy.
In a world where advanced knowledge is widespread and low-cost labor is readily available, U.S. advantages in the marketplace and in science and technology have begun to erode. A comprehensive and coordinated federal effort is urgently needed to bolster U.S. competitiveness and preeminence in these areas. This Congressional requested report by a preeminent committee makes four recommendations along with 20 implementation actions that federal policy-makers should take to create high-quality jobs and focus new science and technology efforts on meeting the nation's needs, especially in the area of clean, affordable energy.
Running on Empty
Computer science and the technologies it enables now lie at the heart of our economy, our daily lives, and scientific enterprise. As the digital age has transformed the world and workforce, U.S. K–12 education has fallen woefully behind in preparing students with the fundamental computer science knowledge and skills they need for future success.
Computer science and the technologies it enables now lie at the heart of our economy, our daily lives, and scientific enterprise. As the digital age has transformed the world and workforce, U.S. K–12 education has fallen woefully behind in preparing students with the fundamental computer science knowledge and skills they need for future success.
Sample Advocacy Letter for Parents and Industry Professionals
Use this sample letter to advocate for rigorous computer science education with your local school board or state department of education.
Use this sample letter to advocate for rigorous computer science education with your local school board or state department of education.
SAS “STEM is cool” video
This brand new video from SAS shows students that focusing on STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) can dramatically expand career opportunities and be cool too.
This brand new video from SAS shows students that focusing on STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) can dramatically expand career opportunities and be cool too.
Stuck in the Shallow End
The number of African Americans and Latino/as receiving undergraduate and advanced degrees in computer science is disproportionately low, according to recent surveys. And relatively few African American and Latino/a high school students receive the kind of institutional encouragement, educational opportunities, and preparation needed for them to choose computer science as a field of study and profession. In Stuck in the Shallow End, Jane Margolis looks at the daily experiences of students and teachers in three Los Angeles public high schools: an overcrowded urban high school, a math and science magnet school, and a well-funded school in an affluent neighborhood. She finds an insidious "virtual segregation" that maintains inequality.
The number of African Americans and Latino/as receiving undergraduate and advanced degrees in computer science is disproportionately low, according to recent surveys. And relatively few African American and Latino/a high school students receive the kind of institutional encouragement, educational opportunities, and preparation needed for them to choose computer science as a field of study and profession. In Stuck in the Shallow End, Jane Margolis looks at the daily experiences of students and teachers in three Los Angeles public high schools: an overcrowded urban high school, a math and science magnet school, and a well-funded school in an affluent neighborhood. She finds an insidious "virtual segregation" that maintains inequality.
The New Educational Imperative: Improving High School Computer Science Education (PDF)
This study reports on the findings of the CSTA Curriculum Improvement Task Force established to provide a comprehensive look at high school computer science education in the United States and its link to national economic issues.
This study reports on the findings of the CSTA Curriculum Improvement Task Force established to provide a comprehensive look at high school computer science education in the United States and its link to national economic issues.
Video of Richard Tapia’s National Medal of Science Award
Rice University Professor Richard Tapia was recently awarded the 2010 National Medal of Science, the highest national honor for a U.S. scientist. He is recognized for his pioneering and fundamental contributions in optimization theory and numerical analysis and for his dedication and sustained efforts in fostering diversity and excellence in computational mathematics and science education. The son of Mexican immigrants, Tapia grew up in Los Angeles and was the first member of his family to attend college. He excelled in math and science and went on to earn international acclaim for his research in computational mathematics, and that success led to his election to the National Academy of Engineering. Tapia has authored or co-authored two books and more than 100 computational mathematical research papers, and he is currently authoring a graduate-level textbook on the foundations of optimization.
Rice University Professor Richard Tapia was recently awarded the 2010 National Medal of Science, the highest national honor for a U.S. scientist. He is recognized for his pioneering and fundamental contributions in optimization theory and numerical analysis and for his dedication and sustained efforts in fostering diversity and excellence in computational mathematics and science education. The son of Mexican immigrants, Tapia grew up in Los Angeles and was the first member of his family to attend college. He excelled in math and science and went on to earn international acclaim for his research in computational mathematics, and that success led to his election to the National Academy of Engineering. Tapia has authored or co-authored two books and more than 100 computational mathematical research papers, and he is currently authoring a graduate-level textbook on the foundations of optimization.
White House Science Fair
President Obama speaks about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education to the country’s economic future after viewing exhibits from science fair winners from across the country.
President Obama speaks about the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education to the country’s economic future after viewing exhibits from science fair winners from across the country.
Why Should Young People Consider Careers in Information Technology
Created as talking points for Counselors for Computing (C4C), a project of the NCWIT K-12 Alliance made possible by the Merck Company Foundation, this card gives adults talking points and additional resources for a conversation with their students, children, and/or other young people. The main message is that IT offers meaningful work, security and high salaries with a bachelor’s degree, and flexibility and variety. Information is provided to address these specific questions: What should you tell a young person about a career in IT? How can a young person prepare now for a career in IT?
Created as talking points for Counselors for Computing (C4C), a project of the NCWIT K-12 Alliance made possible by the Merck Company Foundation, this card gives adults talking points and additional resources for a conversation with their students, children, and/or other young people. The main message is that IT offers meaningful work, security and high salaries with a bachelor’s degree, and flexibility and variety. Information is provided to address these specific questions: What should you tell a young person about a career in IT? How can a young person prepare now for a career in IT?
Why So Few?
In an era when women are increasingly prominent in medicine, law and business, why are there so few women scientists and engineers? A new research report by AAUW presents compelling evidence that can help to explain this puzzle.
In an era when women are increasingly prominent in medicine, law and business, why are there so few women scientists and engineers? A new research report by AAUW presents compelling evidence that can help to explain this puzzle.
