GVSU tapped as partner in computer science conference funded by MiSTEM Advisory Council grant

Grand Valley has played a key role in a conference funded through a state MiSTEM Advisory Council grant that is training nearly 200 middle school and high school teachers on computer science and coding.

The event, being held July 28-Aug. 2 at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids, is equipping educators to prepare students for a workforce that increasingly includes high-demand jobs in this area. Part of teachers' acceptance into the program is an agreement that their respective schools will offer a computer education course, said Kris Pachla, director of the Regional Math and Science Center; Pachla also is a regional director for the state MiSTEM Network.

Pachla said Grand Valley was tapped to carry out the logistics of the conference, which is hosted by West Shore Educational Service District in partnership with the MiSTEM Network. He said it makes sense for Grand Valley to become more deeply involved with the effort given the university's strong history in computer science education and commitment to staying at the forefront of supporting schools as they strive to round out students' training in the discipline.

"We're excited to help envision the next phase of the computer science partnership across Michigan," Pachla said. "We are thinking about how we are pipelining students, getting them skills beyond courses and preparing them for the jobs of tomorrow that don't exist today."

The MiSTEM Advisory Council was established by the state Legislature in 2015 to oversee a STEM strategy in Michigan and recommend programs for funding. One of the panel's main goals is strengthening the educator pipeline for STEM disciplines.

Additional collaborators for this week's cost-free event include Code.org, a nonprofit computer science organization that is providing the curriculum, and West Michigan Tech Talent.