One of the most talked about movies of the year is coming to the big screen in a matter of weeks. After a decade’s absence from cinemas and nearly 40 years from the franchise’s debut, the seventh feature installment of Star Wars will introduce a new generation to the Jedi, Sith, Rebel Alliance, Galactic Empire and more, all set in a galaxy far, far away.
The subtitle for the new film, if you’ve somehow managed to avoid the trailers or hype, is “The Force Awakens.” Closer to home and on much smaller screens, Star Wars will also be playing a role in awakening an excitement for something more than playing pretend with wrapping paper tubes as lightsabers. Instead, characters like Princess Leia and Rey along with droids R2-D2 and BB-8 are taking center stage for this year’s Hour of Code.
Dec. 7-13 will be celebrated as Computer Science Education Week, not only in Arkansas but also across the globe, and this year’s theme is Star Wars.
Schools and community partners are encouraged to participate in the Hour of Code. In order to demystify coding and demonstrate the basics to both students and adults alike, schools are encouraged to offer a one-hour introduction to computer science through Code.org’s online platform.
“For generations, Star Wars has sparked kids’ curiosity and imagination, and we hope the appeal of characters like Princess Leia and Rey will help fuel greater participation in science and math, especially among girls, around the world,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. “Computer science has helped shape our legacy and changed the way movies are made, which is why programs like the Hour of Code are so important to us.”
Though participants may not be building fully-functional droids, students encounter the basics of coding, computational thinking, problem-solving and creativity. Opportunities for exploration like the Hour of Code are part of a long-term strategy to spark interest and enthusiasm for coding. At a time when the majority of K-12 schools don’t offer computer science, more than 5 million students have enrolled on Code Studio since its 2014 launch, including 10 percent of all K-8 students in the United States.
Arkansas has already laid out a bold path to cultivating student interest and talent in coding.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson reported last month that nearly 4,000 Arkansas high school students are taking part in at least one of 14 computer science courses this year. Even more notable, the state also saw a 300 percent increase in the enrollment of female students in computer science courses, and African-American female enrollment increased 609 percent.
For student groups who are normally on the fringe of computer science activities and awareness, that’s a welcomed change with the potential for tremendous dividends for the state in the future if those students are encouraged to continue their studies later in high school and at the college level through advanced coursework.
Those goals are also mirrored in some of the choices behind this year’s theme for the Hour of Code.
“By featuring powerful heroines Leia and Rey in this fun computer programming tutorial, we hope to inspire students of all backgrounds to try learning this foundational field,” said Hadi Partovi, CEO of Code.org.
More than 100,000 schools and groups across the world have already registered an event with dozens of Arkansas elementary, middle and high schools already in the mix to participate. Anyone can register an event. While the concept may seem daunting, participating in the Hour of Code is a great way for students, teachers and parents to have fun while learning together.
Upon the realization that a young Jedi is bringing hope, the emperor tells Darth Vader, “There is a great disturbance in the Force.”
Through programs like the EAST Initiative, New Tech Schools, Project Lead the Way and the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, Arkansas has demonstrated a commitment to providing students with pathways to explore science and math, solve real-world problems and support a new generation of talented young people with advanced skills to support a changing workforce. It’s all a part of a force for change in the way we approach learning and what we believe is possible for Arkansas students.
