BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – In its continued commitment to excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, the LSU Gordon A. Cain Center announced its selection as a Code.org® regional partner. Code.org is considered the leading U.S. provider of K–12 computer science curriculum in the largest school districts. Through this partnership, LSU will drive new awareness and expansion of computer science education across the state.
“We are excited that we can expand access to high-quality computer science professional development and help build a collaborative community of computer science educators in Louisiana,” said Fernando Alegre, associate director of the Cain Center, and the innovator of the LSU STEM Computing Pathway for secondary school systems. “Computer science is changing rapidly, so it’s critical that more educators can bring the best practices in computer science into their classrooms and prepare the next generation of future technology leaders.”
Last year, only 29 percent of Louisiana public high schools offered foundational computer science courses, which served fewer than half of Louisiana high school students in these schools. Only 1.9 percent of those were enrolled in a foundational computer science course.
Computer science teachers stand at the forefront of a dramatic shift in U.S. education.
As the “T” in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, computer science is not just an isolated pursuit, but an indispensable part of preparing students for the job market. In other words, computer science is not just for geeks and elite high school students. Studies show that children who study computer science perform better in other subjects, excel at problem-solving, and are 17 percent more likely to attend college.
More new jobs will require computer science than other STEM training , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its employment projections for 2028 predict 598,700 new jobs in computer science compared to 290,200 new jobs in all other STEM fields.
The Cain Center partnered with the Capital Area STEM Network Center, or LaSTEM Region 2, to bring the Code.org partnership to LSU.
“We are thrilled to work as a regional partner with Code.org so we can help equip teachers and prepare young people for the computing workforce,” said Summer Dann, Capital Area Regional STEM Center director.
Dann says Louisiana currently has 6,000 computing jobs with an average salary of $71,016, but that fewer than 700 college graduates earned computer science degrees in 2022.
The long-term goal for this partnership is ensuring that teachers have professional learning and support while expanding state-wide access to computer science opportunities to PK–12 students for Louisiana’s modern and future demands for our computing workforce.
About Code.org
Founded in 2012, Code.org currently collaborates with 57 partners representing 49 states. Its regional partners work with local districts and schools to help bring computer science courses to K–12 institutions, particularly those without computer science offerings. The Code.org regional partner program aligns with priorities at the federal and state level.
About LSU Gordon A. Cain Center for STEM Literacy
Since 2000, the Gordon A. Cain Center for STEM Literacy has promoted science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) literacy within PK–16 systems throughout Louisiana. In addition to the STEM pathways, they offer a variety of pre-college camps, dual enrollment courses, and teacher development programs and services that support STEM learning, prepare, and strengthen teachers, and inform the public.
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Contact Rose Kendrick
Gordon A. Cain Center for STEM Literacy
225-578-4718
code-org@lsu.edu
