By Katia Jenkins Brown
Staff Writer
In this day and age of heavy dependency on computers for careers, entertainment, and everyday lives, it is important every student leaves high school knowing the mechanics of computers and how to use one properly. The best way to ensure Mira Costa students get this experience is by making Computer Science a graduation requirement.
Computer Science is the study of principles and use of computers and electronics. Costa currently offers computer science classes such as Advanced Placement Computer Science, Human Centered Design, Introduction to Programming, and Introduction to Robotics, and none of these classes are required to graduate from Costa.
According to the national program Exploring Computer Science, computer science is the only science field that has seen a decrease in student participation in California in the past twenty years. This is a disadvantage for Costa students considering the Center on Education and the Workforce predicted over 65% of jobs in 2020 will require knowledge of computer science.
Many of the highest paying college and universities majors are centered in STEM, science, technology, engineering, math, fields, according to the Princeton Review. All four of these categories require at least a basic understanding of computers and electronics. Having computer science as a requirement would set Costa students up for major success after high school.
Approximately 187 students take computer science class at Costa according to Braskin, and Costa computer science and robotics teacher Aaron Braskin stated that these students not only learn the language of computers, but also decision making skills, and how to apply simple math to the real world. Braskin agrees that computer science is an empowering class that will make Costa students more successful and comfortable in and out of the class.
For students who do not plan on continuing into a computer science or related career in the future, taking the class will still help them with problem solving skills and learning how your maximize your computer experience. Some colleges such as Yale University offer Bachelor of Arts where you can apply computer science to arts fields such as music, where you learn the science of composition software. This way, students who excel in arts fields still have the computer skills they need to succeed in the future.
While adding another class to a student’s schedule is always difficult, Costa students could have the opportunity to take it over the summer, or freshman year when they do not have to take a required course such as History. That way, students can still get the computer science experience without added stress of a zero period, or conflicts with athletics.
Some students do not even realize how heavily they rely on electronics for research, homework assignments and projects, and studying. When their phones or computers crash or are unresponsive, a student who has taken computer science will have the ability to fix the problem quickly and efficiently, rather than struggling to complete less effective methods.
Understanding computer science is becoming the basis for success in the modern world. There are a multitude of benefits for students who take computer science, and if it is not made into a required class, many Costa students will miss out on valuable ways to progress in society.
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