Puzzled to Programmer by Sadie

Puzzled to Programmer by Sadie - June 2018 Scholarship Essay

Squinting at the bright computer screen, I considered possible routes to solving the problem presented to me. The object of the assignment was to create a model to predict bird sightings in a certain location over the course of a few hours, using data that had already been found about the frequency of appearances and types of birds sighted. I could use loops, or maybe a few if-else segments of code. Perhaps an array could be useful as well. So many options were at my disposal, and I was struck once again how creative coding could be; who knew? Coding classes should be required courses because the skill is becoming increasingly relevant in today’s society and students would gain more of an appreciation for the technology we now enjoy.
Before I enrolled in AP Computer Science A, I was virtually clueless about how computers worked and had no idea how to code. Sure, I had watched movies such as Jurassic Park, where Lex Murphy hacks into the computer to get the compound back online, or Hidden Figures, where proficient coders are needed to program the spacecraft to reach the moon. Yet I still never really understood what the skill was nor took the time to research and learn about it. The class I took started with the basics; I discovered the difference between hardware and software, the different languages available to developers, and began programming with simple Java print statements. As I progressed through the course, I realized just how useful coding could be. Every high school student should get the chance to peruse coding and computer skills. Software engineering and other computer-related jobs are projected to grow exponentially in the next few years, and plenty of well-paying work can be found. Some high schools are even pushing toward replacing foreign language elective requirements with coding courses. If students are exposed to classes related to this field in high school, they would be able to explore and delve into a valuable skill for the future, understand how technology works, and how technology has changed in recent years.
Most consumers likely do not understand how their computer or cellphone works. They simply buy the product most suited for their purposes, get used to and bored with its capabilities, and demand better, without knowing how much work goes into new advancements or how such advancements could possibly be limited. Each app in the app store likely takes months of programming to be polished enough for the market. Smartphones are limited in how thin they can become because objects like batteries and a memory board are required for it to function. People demand smaller, faster, more versatile personal technology, yet aren’t willing to think about how that can be achieved. Coding and computer classes could help begin to educate the public about such issues, and could potentially reach students who will someday invent solutions to those problems.
In short, coding classes in high school should definitely become a requirement for all students. Jobs in fields related to coding and computer skills will only expand in number, and learning the skill earlier will help students support themselves with stable income in the future. In addition, technology has boomed over the past few decades, and as it becomes increasingly interwoven with our daily lives, we as a society must become more educated about how it works and how we can use technology for the better. Even if kids who take coding classes decide that programming is not for them, they still will benefit from having tried it because it teaches problem solving skills and provides a productive outlet for creativity. As Steve Jobs said, “Everyone should learn how to code; it teaches you to think.”