Coding the Future by Drew

Coding the Future by Drew - August 2015 Scholarship Essay

Technology is an integral part of the 21st century. With the increasing number of gadgets like smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles, most of American society uses several devices to get through everyday life, but few understand how it works. The study of computer science is a growing field that is gaining traction because of its importance in many of the fields that depend on it, from modern medicine to biology. Some people, myself included, don't get exposed to these concepts until college. Computer science needs to be part of the American high school curriculum.

It would be fair to say that computer science is a mentally stimulating and challenging field due to its high-level mathematical and logic-based reasoning. Looking at coding languages can be in itself a daunting and draining task. Many internships and jobs require a few years of experience in a coding language, so getting a student’s hands dirty in learning the language would provide a significant advantage. Early exposure to these topics can also be a powerful tool in preparing a student for the rigor of the college courses that they will take.

Designing algorithms, which are procedures to solving a problem, require complex analysis to make sure that the solution can not only solve specific test cases, but also do so in a reasonable and efficient time-frame. They are the backbone of computer science. If an algorithm is inefficient, a computer could take several minutes to compute a problem that a more proficient algorithm could solve in a few milliseconds. Students already deal with algorithms in their math courses, but tailoring them to deal with computer science questions can give them a sense of appreciation for how the technology they use operates. Phone app and game development use these algorithms, which may perk a student’s interest in designing their own in the future.

Computer science is a necessary component of our ever continuing growth of technology. The job field is still not as widely sought because of its difficulty, but if students experience it in their curriculum, they may come to respect the benefit it provides and understand it better in their college years. The potential of computer science integration is a necessity. Making it part of the curriculum may just allow a student to find their dream job.