STEMworks™ is new Hawaii Regional Partner of Code.org

October 13, 2017 – The Maui Economic Development Board announced today that STEMworks™, the flagship program of Women in Technology’s STEM initiative, is joining Code.org® as a Hawaii regional partner.

STEMworks™ becomes part of Code.org’s nationwide network of Regional Partners to advance computer science education in K-12 schools on every island in the state of Hawaii. The STEM program will also provide quality professional development to educators through coding workshops and other related technology events.

Code.org is a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. It is supported by generous donors including Microsoft, Facebook, the Infosys Foundation, Google, Omidyar Network, and many more.

According to the latest statistics, computing occupations are now the number 1 source of all new wages in the U.S. and comprise two-thirds of all projected new jobs in STEM fields, making Computer Science one of the most in-demand college degrees.

Hawaii currently has 1,318 open computing jobs (4.6 times the average demand rate in Hawaii). The average salary for a computing occupation in HI is $80,734, which is significantly higher than the average salary in the state ($49,430).

“Despite all of these high-paying job opportunities, the state only produced 155 computer science graduates in 2015 – and only 17% were female,” Isla Young, Director of STEM Education & Workforce Development, said. “We need to improve access for every student in every school in Hawaii, including groups like girls and minorities who have been traditionally underrepresented.”

“With the help of our industry and educational partners, we are excited to help elementary, middle and high school students gain foundational computer science (CS) knowledge. CS skills are becoming critical in remaining competitive in a 21st century workforce,” Isla said. “The CS Fundamentals, CS Discoveries and CS Principles curricula will help build a continuum of computer science education in the K-12 educational pipeline.

Middle and high school teachers interested in upcoming professional development opportunities and facilitating Code.org curricula during the 2018/2019 school year are encouraged to join the STEMworks™ interest list: goo.gl/Fx3moG. Applications will be available in January 2018.

For more information on STEMworks™, visit stemworkshawaii.org. To learn more of what you can do to improve K-12 CS education, go to Code.org.

Women in Technology is a statewide initiative of the Maui Economic Development Board, funded in part by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, and Agriculture as a workforce development project.