{"685845":{"#nid":"685845","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Rural Computer Science Initiative showcases full learning journey at Georgia Tech\u2019s Lifetime Learning Symposium ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ceismc.gatech.edu\/rural-cs-initiative\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Rural Computer Science\u003C\/a\u003E Initiative took center stage earlier this month at the inaugural \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/lifetimelearning.gatech.edu\/events\/symposium\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ELifetime Learning Symposium\u003C\/a\u003E hosted by the College of Lifetime Learning. A panel discussion showcased how a state-supported program is empowering high school teachers and students in rural school districts to bridge the gap between localized learning opportunities and community-based workforce development.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModerator Lizanne DeStefano, executive director of the College\u2019s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC), reflected on the meaningful exchange between panelists.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe had tried to do outreach in rural districts before. I\u2019ve been at Georgia Tech for 10 years, and ever since I arrived, we\u2019ve been talking about upgrading our outreach to rural districts\u2014but there are many barriers to that, such as distance, time, and resources,\u201d she said. \u201cThis opportunity provided excellent access because it wasn\u2019t just driving to the district for a day and having a booth and talking to kids about coming to Georgia Tech. It was really partnering with those districts around instructional issues.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe panel featured Georgia state representative Matt Dubnik and Georgia Tech representatives Leigh McCook, \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/gtri.gatech.edu\/stem\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESTEM @GTRI\u003C\/a\u003E; Bert Reeves, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gov.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute Relations\u003C\/a\u003E; Norman \u201cStorm\u201d Robinson III, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ceismc.gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECEISMC\u003C\/a\u003E; and Rick Clark, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/access.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EStrategic Student Access\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe idea behind the initiative traces back to early 2022 when Dubnik and fellow legislator Todd Jones approached Georgia Tech with a bold idea: to expand access to computer science education in rural school districts through a strategic partnership, using technology and experiential learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs DeStefano explained during the panel, \u201cIt is very difficult to hire certified computer science teachers in rural districts. It\u0027s very hard to hire them across the state, but rural districts in particular are challenged, and so rural students have less access to high-quality computer science education than in other parts of the state.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith funding from the state legislature, a collaborative effort between CEISMC and STEM@GTRI, the K-12 outreach arm of the Georgia Tech Research Institute, was born. The pilot program took place that summer with eight school districts and has grown to more than 45 school districts as of this fall.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA foundational feature of the program is the delivery of computer science modules, developed and taught by the CEISMC and GTRI teams, through a hybrid co-teaching model. Each module begins with a week of real-time, online instruction led by the teams in partnership with in-person teachers. The second week shifts to teacher-led, problem-based learning, allowing students to apply concepts through independent projects, with flexibility in pacing and project design to meet classroom needs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur modules that we started with in our pilot phase are constantly changing. We\u2019re getting feedback, advice, and ideas\u2014and educators are asking for more. So, we started with four modules, and now we\u2019re at ten,\u201d said McCook, director of STEM@GTRI. \u201cThey\u2019re coming to us and saying, \u2018We want to do more in AI or cybersecurity.\u2019\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat kind of teacher input has also shaped the broader goals of the initiative. A professional learning community has been set up to adapt to educators\u2019 needs and foster collaboration across schools, with veteran teachers often serving as mentors for newer participants.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe professional learning experiences are tailored to the districts and the teachers\u2019 needs,\u201d said Robinson, CEISMC\u2019s associate director of school and community engagement. \u201cWe\u2019re not just putting something on\u2014we\u2019re asking them, \u2018Where do you see yourself? Where do you want to grow as an educator?\u2019 and involving them in their own journey.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, a new area of focus this year is applying \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/online.fliphtml5.com\/zzqrc\/qpcd\/#p=15\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ecomputer science and artificial intelligence to agriculture\u003C\/a\u003E, including farming. Nineteen school districts have been provided with FarmBots, which are open-source, automated farming systems that integrate coding, robotics, and data science, and can monitor variables such as soil moisture and temperature.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA FarmBot was recently installed in Georgia Tech\u2019s community garden to serve as a hands-on testing site for designing classroom-ready learning experiences. Robinson is currently traveling to each school to ensure the FarmBots are properly installed as a curriculum for precision farming is being developed. Precision farming is a method that uses technology and data to enhance and improve agricultural practices.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow in its fourth year, the Rural Computer Science Initiative is expanding and making strides, having reached more than 10,000 students in over 40 schools and garnering continued support from the state legislature.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was great to see such a powerful example of the Georgia legislature partnering with an institution of higher education in the service of rural communities,\u201d DeStefano said. \u201cOther states are interested in replicating our model.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u2014Jo\u00eblle Walls, CEISMC Communications\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe panel emphasized how the initiative\u2019s hybrid co-teaching model and close collaboration with educators are central to its success in expanding meaningful computer science learning in rural classrooms.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"A panel discussion unpacked the Rural Computer Science Initiative\u2019s origin, co-teaching model, and growing statewide impact.."}],"uid":"36247","created_gmt":"2025-10-20 18:07:48","changed_gmt":"2025-10-20 19:18:45","author":"jwalls37","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-10-20T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-10-20T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678395":{"id":"678395","type":"image","title":"Rural CS Initiative Panel at Lifetime Learning Symposium. ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EModerator Lizanne DeStefano with panelists Georgia Rep. Matt Dubnik, Leigh McCook, Bert Reeves, Norman \u0022Storm\u0022 Robinson III, and Rick Clark.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1760983717","gmt_created":"2025-10-20 18:08:37","changed":"1760984398","gmt_changed":"2025-10-20 18:19:58","alt":"Moderator Lizanne DeStefano with panelists Georgia Rep. Matt Dubnik, Leigh McCook, Bert Reeves, Norman \u0022Storm\u0022 Robinson III, and Rick Clark. ","file":{"fid":"262414","name":"LLS2025Mon-10--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/20\/LLS2025Mon-10--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/10\/20\/LLS2025Mon-10--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1492293,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/10\/20\/LLS2025Mon-10--1-.jpg?itok=uU1WbSWX"}}},"media_ids":["678395"],"groups":[{"id":"361651","name":"Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC)"},{"id":"660375","name":"Lifetime Learning"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"},{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"411","name":"CEISMC"},{"id":"170709","name":"STEM@GTRI"},{"id":"12888","name":"IPaT"},{"id":"12673","name":"CS education"},{"id":"192012","name":"K-12 STEM education"},{"id":"192011","name":"K-12 STEM teachers"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["joelle.walls@ceismc.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}