ORONO, Maine — Technology is becoming more and more essential to our lives every day.
"Every job in every sector no matter what you're doing is going to involve computing, computer science, technology, or some form," Educate Maine Project Manager Olivia Oechslye said.
That's why the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA) and nonprofit Educate Maine are helping teachers learn valuable computer science skills that will help prepare their students for the future through the CS Summer of Fun program.
"Finding ways to integrate computer science into existing curriculum, into existing standards, into existing activities," MMSA Director Ruth Kermish-Allen said.
Located at the University of Maine's campus in Orono, the event gave educators a chance to attend breakouts discussing things like algorithmic thinking and learn about books and other tools that can be used to teach simple computer science concepts.
"The level of confidence increases, they're super excited to expose their kids to something new, and the kids see that in their teachers and then turn around and have just as much fun in the classroom," Oechslye said.
Program organizers also hope the program gives educators tools to navigate the ongoing teacher shortage in Maine.
"Opportunities for educators to become leaders in what they do, to share what they know, to really plug into networks so they feel supported by other educators," Kermish-Allen said.
And also to highlight how computer science and other STEM skills apply to jobs throughout the state.
"You'd be shocked at how much computer science has to go into woodworking and lumberyards and how these machines work and how you have to program them," Kermish-Allen said.
This was Ellsworth School Department IT Director Katie Hollenback's first time attending the program, and she said it's been valuable to collaborate with other educators from across the state.
"Learning about what's working for other schools and teachers and just the sharing of learning has been great," Hollenback said.
And with all the new skills she's gained through CS Summer of Fun, Hollenback hopes to give students even more opportunities to learn.
"Seeing that they're engaged and wanted to learn more about 3D printing and coding and just seeing that progression has been really exciting," Hollenback said.