{"691200":{"#nid":"691200","#data":{"type":"news","title":"College\u0027s Expanded GTSI Offering Showcases Creativity, Challenges Computing Myths","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor more than 100 rising 11th-grade students attending this year\u2019s Georgia Tech Summer Institute (GTSI), computing wasn\u0027t presented as a single career path or a fixed set of programming languages. Instead, students were able to explore the creative side of computing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGTSI brings talented students from across the state to campus for a weeklong taste of college life.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with learning about academic programs and scholarship opportunities, GTSI offers participating students \u2013 many from rural and under-resourced communities \u2013 hands-on STEM experiences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EDiscovering a Different Side of Computing\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn its second year of participating in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/expandedlearning.ceismc.gatech.edu\/summer-institute\u0022\u003EGTSI\u003C\/a\u003E, the College of Computing broadened its partnership with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ceismc.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECenter for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC)\u003C\/a\u003E this summer, offering two full-day, interactive experiences that integrated creativity and computational thinking.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The College of Computing first participated in 2025 and is excited to build on that partnership,\u0022 said\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAneesah\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAllen\u003C\/strong\u003E, senior education outreach manager, who coordinated the College\u0027s involvement with CEISMC.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Our goal is to create a memorable experience that helps students see themselves in computing while learning new skills in a fun, engaging way.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EHands-On Learning, Real-World Connections\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo achieve this goal, the GT Computing-led sessions gave GTSI students the opportunity to experiment with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, explore physical computing, and discover how technology intersects with:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e111dd3c363a827cbd867e31bcb120568\u0022\u003EArts \u0026amp; entertainment\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e313fce5b8181446acaeffa8ec7e98ea2\u0022\u003ESports\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e26d1950e0579e4244d1bb53ea9b5c0d5\u0022\u003EInteractive media\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e09e4bef4a3cc1ba358cf2485d92edc7c\u0022\u003EAnd more\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESababu\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Cstrong\u003EBarashango\u003C\/strong\u003E and \u003Cstrong\u003ETerry\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EFoster\u003C\/strong\u003E, CS instructional specialists and research associates at the College\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/constellations.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EConstellation Center for Education in Computing\u003C\/a\u003E, along with \u003Cstrong\u003ECedric\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EStallworth\u003C\/strong\u003E, GT Computing assistant dean for outreach, led the College\u2019s participation in this year\u2019s GTSI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Barashango, the interactive sessions \u2013 focused on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/degree-programs\/bachelor-science-computer-science\u0022\u003Ecomputer science (CS)\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cc.gatech.edu\/degree-programs\/bachelor-science-computational-media\u0022\u003Ecomputational media (CM)\u003C\/a\u003E \u2013 were designed to broaden students\u0027 understanding of what computing can be.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The College of Computing and its Constellations Center for Education in Computing are partnering with CEISMC to help high school students understand the many possibilities computer science and computational media offer,\u0022 said Barashango. \u0022The students were deeply engaged in the interactive sessions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The content ranged from an introductory icebreaker using Google Maps and pixel art to block coding and physical computing, and finally to AI and machine learning.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with presenting computing\u2019s creative side and emphasizing hands-on participation, the GT Computing-led sessions were designed to challenge long-held assumptions about who belongs in computing and what skills the field requires.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022The experiences in our sessions directly challenge the myth that you can\u0027t be both creative and logical,\u0022 Barashango said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EExpanding Students\u0027 View of Computing\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFoster believes that introducing students to all aspects of computing before they make decisions about college can help them see opportunities well beyond what they might have considered.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022Learning about CS and CM pathways broadens their view of computing and allows them to apply computing in fields they care about,\u0022 Foster said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe pointed to computational media as an especially powerful gateway because it integrates technical and creative thinking.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022When speaking specifically about CM, which is an excellent entry point into computing, students can be both creative and technical, not just one or the other,\u0022 Foster said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe GT Computing-led sessions also encouraged students to think beyond traditional technology careers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022One of the key messages we shared with students was that earning a computer science degree does not mean they have to become software engineers,\u0022 Foster said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We emphasized the wide range of computing careers available, including fields such as sports technology, film production, and interactive media, in which CS and CM skills are highly valued.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EBuilding Tomorrow\u0027s Computing Workforce\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDespite the success of the College\u2019s GTSI session, Barashango recognizes that the goal of helping students see themselves in computing extends beyond a single summer program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIntroducing students to computational thinking early can help prepare them for whatever path they choose,\u201d he said. \u0022Regardless of their career choices, their lives will continue to be affected by and integrated with computer science.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022If they do not develop computational thinking and skills, they will be left behind in the technology and wealth gap.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn its second year participating in GTSI, the College of Computing broadened its partnership with the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) this summer by offering two full-day, interactive experiences that integrated creativity and computational thinking. The goal of the expanded offering is to create a memorable experience that helps GT Summer Institute students see themselves in computing while learning new skills in a fun, engaging way.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"GT Computing is combining creativity and computational thinking to help Georgia high school students reconsider what computing is all about."}],"uid":"32045","created_gmt":"2026-07-21 18:18:22","changed_gmt":"2026-07-22 01:29:41","author":"Ben Snedeker","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-07-22T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-07-22T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680639":{"id":"680639","type":"image","title":"GT Computing\u0027s Sababu Barashango (top) monitors a student\u0027s progress during an interactive session that\u0027s part of the 2026 Georgia Tech Summer Institute.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPhoto by Terence Rushin\/GT Computing: GT Computing\u0027s Sababu Barashango (top) monitors a student\u0027s progress during an interactive session that\u0027s part of the 2026 Georgia Tech Summer Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784659267","gmt_created":"2026-07-21 18:41:07","changed":"1784659267","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 18:41:07","alt":"GT Computing\u0027s Sababu Barashango (top) monitors a student\u0027s progress during an interactive session that\u0027s part of the 2026 Georgia Tech Summer Institute.","file":{"fid":"264928","name":"GTComputing-2026-GTSI-session-1.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/21\/GTComputing-2026-GTSI-session-1.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/21\/GTComputing-2026-GTSI-session-1.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":167818,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/21\/GTComputing-2026-GTSI-session-1.jpg?itok=7rWdoPLf"}},"680640":{"id":"680640","type":"image","title":"GT Computing Assistant Dean for Outreach Cedric Stallworth (right) is a longstanding advocate of sharing the creative side of computing with high school students.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPhoto by Terence Rushin\/GT Computing: College of Computing Assistant Dean for Outreach Cedric Stallworth is a longstanding advocate of sharing the creative side of computing with high school students.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784659547","gmt_created":"2026-07-21 18:45:47","changed":"1784659547","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 18:45:47","alt":"GT Computing Assistant Dean for Outreach Cedric Stallworth (right) is a longstanding advocate of sharing the creative side of computing with high school students.","file":{"fid":"264929","name":"GTComputing-2026-GTSI-Session-2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/21\/GTComputing-2026-GTSI-Session-2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/21\/GTComputing-2026-GTSI-Session-2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":146757,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/21\/GTComputing-2026-GTSI-Session-2.jpg?itok=pQjpWlgo"}},"680641":{"id":"680641","type":"image","title":"GT Computing\u0027s Terry Foster (right) helped to develop the College\u0027s expanded offering for the 2026 Georgia Tech Summer Institute.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EPhoto by Terence Rushin\/GT Computing: GT Computing\u0027s Terry Foster (right) helped to develop the College\u0027s expanded offering for the 2026 Georgia Tech Summer Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1784659778","gmt_created":"2026-07-21 18:49:38","changed":"1784659778","gmt_changed":"2026-07-21 18:49:38","alt":"GT Computing\u0027s Terry Foster (right) helped to develop the College\u0027s expanded offering for the 2026 Georgia Tech Summer Institute.","file":{"fid":"264930","name":"GTComputing-2026-GTSI-Session-3.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/21\/GTComputing-2026-GTSI-Session-3.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/07\/21\/GTComputing-2026-GTSI-Session-3.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":107567,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/07\/21\/GTComputing-2026-GTSI-Session-3.jpg?itok=1NmxO938"}}},"media_ids":["680639","680640","680641"],"groups":[{"id":"47223","name":"College of Computing"},{"id":"606703","name":"Constellations Center"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"153","name":"Computer Science\/Information Technology and Security"},{"id":"194611","name":"State Impact"},{"id":"194612","name":"Workforce Development"}],"keywords":[{"id":"10199","name":"Daily Digest"},{"id":"181991","name":"Georgia Tech News Center"},{"id":"194637","name":"Georgia Tech Summer Institute"},{"id":"187812","name":"artificial intelligence (AI)"},{"id":"411","name":"CEISMC"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39501","name":"People and Technology"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBen Snedeker\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESr. Communications Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech College of Computing\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003Ealbert.snedeker@cc.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}