The IU School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI, in collaboration with the Pacers Foundation and Indianapolis Public Schools, today announced a project to teach informatics to the students of IPS HL Harshman Magnet Middle School on the near eastside of Indianapolis.
The program, called Computer High: Informatics Project for Success or CH:IPS, will engage 60 Harshman students during the school year in a weekly series of two-hour, after-school learning experiences. The focus will be on informatics and computing and how information technology can be applied to a wide range of real-world challenges and opportunities, including health, security, marketing, logistics, education and entertainment.
Students will learn practical and conceptual skills from a team of faculty and advanced students from the school. Guest speakers from local industry will provide a valuable perspective on the wide range of businesses and industries that apply these skills and technologies.
Steven Mannheimer, a professor of Media Arts and Science was instrumental in cultivating this collaboration with the Pacers and IPS. He will spearhead the project at Harshman Middle School.
“CH:IPS underscores the role of IUPUI as an engaged campus, where students and faculty work with the larger community to impact the lives of local residents,” said. Mathew Palakal, executive associate dean of the school. “With this program, the School of Informatics and Computing is helping to prepare these students for the power and possibility of computing and information technology.”
That preparation could pay big dividends for the Harshman Middle School students.
“Studies indicate that there is a fast growing demand for those skilled in informatics and computing,” said Bobby Schnabel, dean of Indiana University’s School of Informatics and Computing. “By 2018, right about the time these students will be preparing to start college, America will need to fill 1.4 million new jobs in the technology industry. To ensure that Indiana stays competitive in the national and global marketplace, we must fill these jobs. The school is grateful to the Pacers and IPS for their leadership in the CH:IPS project, and for providing this opportunity for our School to collaborate.”
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