Computer Science 1

Reflective-type Questions

Today's Goal

A bit of Reflection

Completed

Encryption vs Encoding
Cryptography in History
Revisit Info Theory Concept
About Control Flow
Finish our Caesar Cipher

Today

Reflective Writing

Upcoming

Compression
Quiz eventually

Get Involved

Part of what helps you become better at tech, is also what helps you gain prestige and get noticed by possible employers and universities.

Before we begin,

is it too early to discuss this?

While it is pretty early to look at this for some of you, opportunities have dates and deadlines, and some of those won't wait until you think you're ready for it. So, it's important that you are aware of them early on, even if you won't participate yet. It helps create awareness of your options. If there is something you want to do in the near future, and can also somewhat serve as maybe a goal to be ready for.

First, lets look at what experiences you can gain even before you apply for your first job. In Computer Science, the most accessible are probably Hackathons. Conferences can be great too, but they are often cost prohibitive and hard to get to. For example, the International Society for Technology in Education conference is about 200, and last year you had to get to Philadelphia for it; this adding travel, lodging, and food expenses.

Let's briefly look at Hackathons first...

Traditionally, Hackathons are for adults; most frequently university and college students. With the pandemic, it expanded rapidly even for younger students, and we've had a few students win some. However, as the pandemic wound down, opportunities did too. Many Hackathons are very beginner friendly.

If you want to go into tech or engineering or computer science, Hackathons are a great way to get experienced and potentially meet possible employers and find other opportunities.

Next, let's look at awards and scholarships. These often aim to help promote your continuation in the subject, providing you with materials and/or money to further your education and experience in this area.

Scholarships & Awards

The involvement of American students in Computer Science has been a concern for a number of years now, and even more so when looking at demographics, especially girls, African Americans, and Latin Americans.

Check out some of the different scholarship options (including some for High School students) here.

One of the big annual opportunities is just around the corner. NCWIT, aiming to promote girls and women in the tech industry, has their applications open currently for the Aspirations in Computer Awards. We've had a few students win in the past, and if you're eligible, you should definitely consider it. Previous WAIS winners: Destiny & Martha, with recognition at Energy Day. Overall, not many people from Houston enter, so, you have a decent chance of progressing in this in comparison to some of the other scholarship options out there.

Learn more about NCWIT's Aspirations in Computing.

TASK

Let's look at and practice some of the types of questions you would see in the NCWIT and other scholarship/award applications. If you are eligible for the NCWIT application, consider applying- by doing this assignment, you're already part of the way there. Even if your not, these types of questions help you respond to other

In a document, respond to the following:

What sparks your interest in computing and technology AND WHY (for example: course(s) you have taken; family member influence; after-school program; media, etc.).
What is your long term goal for your future. What steps have you already made, are currently making, and/or intend to make within this school year to achieve this goal?
Your typical experiences with technology and how you use it to further your knowledge of computing. Talk about what you do with tech; this could be exploring or learning on your own, or helping others, or more. Be sure to give us specific details on your skills.
How have you SHOWN LEADERSHIP in your school and/or your community in relation to promoting and sharing your knowledge of computing and technology. This could be with a class, a club, a group of friends, peers, etc.

--- Optional: If you have examples demonstrating your efforts and experience that you would like to share with us - such as a personal website, portfolio of Tech work, or video demonstration - please provide link(s) to the content.

(URLs only; no uploads permitted) This could include your portfolio you created (although you will probably want to add things to it before an actual application submission date).
HOW you would like computing and technology TO BE A PART OF your career goals.
What is a problem that you would like TO SOLVE using technology and explain HOW you would solve it (this could be a social problem, a technical problem, a local problem, a world problem, etc.). Not sure what's possible? Check out some of these links: Mission Possible Poster, DataKind, BrianFoo's portfolio, and/or this article from Tynker.

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