FORT KENT, Maine – In honor of STEAM Week, Project>Login and the University of Maine at Fort Kent’s Rural U Early College Program announce a new computer science course for the spring 2020 semester.
As part of an effort to increase equitable access to more students and reach students in rural parts of Maine, this new computer science course offering will be available to Maine high school students as part of the Rural U Early College program. Students will be able to sign up through their guidance office at their high schools.
Coding, Computers, and Careers, a three-credit class introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. With a unique focus on creative problem solving and real-world applications, the course prepares students for college and career.
UMFK’s Dean of Community Education, Scott Voisine states, “This partnership will provide an exciting opportunity for Maine high school students to delve into computer science and explore a potential career option. UMFK’s Rural U is excited about tapping into our extensive network of high school early college partners to make this new class available in all corners of our state.”
The course will be taught by Sean Wasson, M.Ed., one of Maine’s most vocal champions of computer science for all students. Sean is a facilitator for Code.org’s Computer Science Discoveries curriculum and he is also the Vice President of the Maine Computer Science Teachers Association.
Any Maine high school student interested in this spring computer science course will have their fees waived thanks to Project>Login’s partnership with Tyler Technologies, an employer with Maine offices in Bangor, Yarmouth, and Falmouth.
Educate Maine’s Executive Director, Jason Judd states, “We are proud to partner with UMFK’s Rural U to provide access to early college computer science classes for students across Maine. Tyler Technologies has consistently supported students through the Maine App Challenge, and we are grateful to have them as a partner in this new program to encourage participation in computer science.”
The University of Maine at Fort Kent’s Rural U Early College Program partners with 103 Maine high schools and offers online early college course, concurrent enrollment in schools, and a selection of early college career exploration certificates students can earn while in high school.
For more information go to https://ruralu.umfk.edu/ or call 207-834-8645.
Project>Login, a program of Educate Maine, is the state’s leading resource for anyone interested in the computing and information technology field. The program works with K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and Maine employers with tech jobs to connect Mainers today with careers for the future.
Submitted by the Marketing and Communication Office of the University of Maine at Fort Kent.
