Innovators and Makers: Bridging Existing Success in Computer Science with the Future Visions of Tomorrow’s Advancements

By Juan M. Gutierrez, Instructional Technology Facilitator, Angela Yamagata, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies, Board District 4, Reseda Community of Schools.

Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (SOCES) is committed to preparing students for the ever-evolving digital world. This year, SOCES was chosen to be a Practitioner 7.0 school in collaboration with the Instructional Technology Initiative. SOCES has always valued High Quality Instruction to improve student outcomes, leverage district and school level numeracy and literacy goals, and promote STEM education opportunities for students to pursue their interests in these fields.

SOCES’ 2022- 2023 instructional leadership team has planned to leverage district and school level focus goals by increasing +7% pts in meeting / exceeding standards in mathematics scores and +30 pts in meeting and exceeding standards in our literacy by 2026. Computer science teachers Regina Pak, Louis Tapia, Lloyd Shinozaki and the FTC robotics team are prime examples of this commitment.

The Computer Science pathway is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in computer science concepts, coding languages, and programming skills. SOCES curriculum includes classes for grade levels 4th- 12th and are STEAM 4, STEAM 5, Computer Science Discoveries, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A. The opportunity to close the gender gap in computer science is an advantage that SOCES uses by providing a STEAM course to every elementary student. The school is continuing to grow female participation in AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A.

The experienced teachers are dedicated to providing a challenging and engaging learning experience that equips students with the skills needed to succeed in the field of computer science. All students have the opportunity to endeavor this rigorous pathway which will prepare them to be “Ready For The World”.

Additionally, the FTC Robotics Team, also known as SOCES Robotics, is a competitive robotics team that participates in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) mentored by Angela Yamagata and Juan Gutierrez. The team is composed of passionate and driven students from grades 7 to 12 who design, build, and program robots to compete against other teams in local competitions. SOCES robotics has been highly successful, winning the Region North Qualifying Tournament in 2023 and the LAUSD Championship tournament in 2022. The team is planning to participate in community outreach programs, promoting STEM education and robotics at the local school site.

Subsequently, SOCES is excited to shine a spotlight on Regina Pak, a high school Korean and an Elementary STEAM teacher from Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies who has been integrating computer science into her class in innovative ways. As our world becomes increasingly digital, Mrs. Pak understands the importance of equipping her students with the skills they need to succeed in a technology-driven future.

One unique feature of Mrs. Pak's high school Korean class is her integration of Korean culture and language with computer science. Students learn about the basics of coding and computer programming through interactive exercises and engaging projects. Students work together in small groups to develop and create animations using Scratch. The animation required students to demonstrate mastery of the Korean language as they animated their sprites to have a conversation in Korean. By connecting computer science with their cultural heritage, Mrs. Pak's students gain a deeper appreciation for both.

 

Mrs. Pak's approach to teaching computer science is not just about learning technical skills, but also about building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By working on programming projects, students learn how to break down complex problems into smaller parts and find creative solutions.

Overall, Mrs. Pak's integration of computer science into her Korean class is helping her students prepare for the world while also deepening their understanding of their cultural identity. We applaud Mrs. Pak's innovative approach to teaching and look forward to seeing the continued success of her students.

SOCES is celebrating its success in all these areas but also using this success to provide a future vision for its school. The school has hopes to create an innovation lab, using Virtual Reality headsets for Science simulation labs and aligning electives with high interest areas for students. Additionally, SOCES has visions of developing a curriculum around product design and 3D printing to provide students with knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s world. This new exciting initiative will give students a unique opportunity to dive into exploring interests while adapting and gaining a valuable experience that can be used in any field of study or career path.

Sherman Oak Center for Enriched Studies ability to create a computer science pathway, FTC robotics team, and use of coding in world language classes is an excellent example of how instructional technology can be used to enhance the educational experience. Not only does this approach provide an opportunity for students for hands- on learning and collaboration, but it also enables them to leverage district and school focus goals within these interdisciplinary classes. The combination of traditional instruction with modern instructional technology strategies, SOCES has ensured that students are prepared to succeed and “Ready For The World”.