How A Little Village Teacher And A 12th-Grader Are Helping More Kids Get Into Computer Science

Minor VILLAGE — A South Side large university teacher and one of her students are remaining regarded for their function to advance and boost computer system science training throughout genders.

Katie Roznai, a trainer at Planet Language given that 2018, was awarded the Countrywide Centre for Ladies & Facts Engineering Educator Award for Aspirations in Computing. In her time at the faculty, she’s taught chemistry and an introductory personal computer science training course.

The award is presented to a teacher who encourages “women, genderqueer, or non-binary students to take a look at their curiosity in computing and know-how,” recognizing their work to “to endorse gender fairness in computing,” in accordance to its internet site.

Roznai commenced top the following-faculty club Ladies Who Code just before the pandemic, calling it a “safe space” for kids to attempt out coding. She said a lot of young children could have a stereotype of what a “coder” appears like, and she wishes to push previous people perceptions.

“I consider it is seriously vital to have just a area for folks who are generally underrepresented in computer science where by they can form of understand in a distinctive way without having the similar sort of people getting in excess of the conversation,” Roznai reported.

Krystal Morales, a senior at Planet Language, reported she joined Women Who Code as a sophomore just after taking Roznai’s Discovering Computer system Science course.

Credit rating: Presented/Katie Roznai
A couple of Katie Roznai’s pupils in Women Who Code.

Roznai reported she nominated Morales for a college student award from the Nationwide Heart for Women & Info Engineering Educator Award after seeing the large schooler acquire a enjoy for personal computer science that is developed into her seeking to pursue a faculty diploma in the field.

The scholar award honors a university student for computing-related achievements “and encourages them to pursue their passions,” in accordance to the internet site.

“I was type of proud of myself,” Morales claimed. “I joined [Girls Who Code] for the reason that I considered it would be one thing new. … I imagine it’s great for women. Folks want to alter the look at that there are additional men” in the subject.

Morales’ award will come with scholarship and internship alternatives for students.

Roznai reported Morales was a single of two students who would tune into Ladies Who Code following college when all college students ended up accomplishing online discovering.

“I’m genuinely enthusiastic to see what’s she’s heading to convey into the planet in this article,” Roznai explained.

Roznai’s award arrives with a tiny income prize and income for specialist progress, which she stated she’s excited to use to develop the Ladies Who Code club and carve out much more room for personal computer science in the college.

Looking forward, Roznai is growing the computer science curriculum by bringing AP Computer system Science Concepts courses to the university. She claimed she also hopes to enhance participation in Girls Who Code with college students again performing in-person finding out.

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