Creating and sustaining computer science clubs in high schools

1. COMPUTER
SCIENCE CLUBS IN
HIGH SCHOOL
Ziine John
Institute of Computer Science

2. “The warning signs are unmistakable. The
solution is clear. Unless we act quickly and
decisively to remedy the disconnect between
our national technological goals and computer
science education at the high school level, our
country will soon face an educational,
competitive, and economic crisis”
CSTA, USA

7. HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS AND
ORGANIZATIONS
 They are student-based school organizations,
 Consisting of administration-approved organizations functioning
with myriads of tasks,
 Varying on the specific purpose of each respective club.
 Clubs composed of students, with adults as advising figures to
maintain the functionality of clubs.
 Clubs primarily focus on four aspects: fundraising, community
service, career interest, and interpersonal dynamics.

8. COMMON CLUBS
 Science club
 Debating club
 Maths club
 Ycs
 Interact
 Poetry

9.  Computers have infiltrated all areas of
society, and there is now a clear link
between technology, innovation, and
economic survival.
 With increasing use of technology in all
aspects of modern life, skills,
knowledge and understanding of computing
which encompasses computer science, IT
and digital literacy are absolutely essential
to be able to participate fully in society

10.  aim to help students not only to:
 master a wide range of technical skills in IT and
programming
 develop understanding of safe, purposeful and
responsible application of the skills they have learned for
their own education, everyday life and future
employment.

11. COMPUTER SCIENCE CLUBS
 Computer Science Clubs organize and connect students interested
in the field of computer science.
 They cultivate the professional development of members and
augment their education with practical skills and projects, as well
as provide a fun and supportive community.
 Clubs organization is structured as two major components - the
club and the committees within the club.
 Club members meet regularly as agreed.
 The committees meet more regularly.

12. COMPUTER CLUBS IN
HISTORY
HOMEBREW COMPUTER
CLUB Several very high-profile hackers and computer entrepreneurs
emerged from computer clubs, including the founders of Apple
Inc.
 The open exchange of ideas that went on at its biweekly meetings,
and the club newsletter, helped launch the personal computer
revolution.
 The Homebrew Computer Club has been called "the crucible for an
entire industry

13. PURPOSE
 In short, computer clubs exist to promote knowledge of and
interest in computer science
 as well as allowing those interested in computer science to talk to
each other.
 A club has an office (Lab) where members get together,
 a library of computer science books available to our members,
 computer accounts on our various machines and much more.
 Frequently the club hosts events related to computing, including
talks, tutorials and demonstrations.

14. WHAT TO DO
 you meet once every week or two, and each meeting everyone has
to present something they've been working on or learning since
the last meeting.
 For example, you could show the group the 3D rendering or photo
editing stuff you've learned and give everyone a basic lesson on
how to use the programs.
 So you could say the goals would be for each member to learn a
certain amount of computer related disciplines throughout a given
timeframe.

15. WHAT TO DO …
 Here are some ideas for a high school computer club:
 coding projects; using different languages
 robotics and robotics competitions,
 coding competitions,
 making and hosting a website/server.
 mini-lectures and discussions
 Software use: Google technologies; google maps, google earth,
scratch

16. WHAT TO TO …
• programming,
• hardware design,
• networks,
• graphics,
• databases and information retrieval,
• computer security,

17. STARTING
 Find a passionate adviser (faculty member) and seed members.
 Most high schools allow the formation of a club with these 2
ingredients.
 A good adviser is key to keeping the club whole and giving you
stuff to work on given his/her broader experience.
 Advisers are also anchors that keep the club running even after
you graduate.
 Successful clubs have a steady stream of alumni willing to
contribute past their graduations. T
 his means the club must live beyond its original founders.

18. LEADERSHIP
Each term a new executive is elected by the membership.
President
Vice-president
Treasurer
Secretary
System Administrator
Librarian
Faculty Advisor
Each term the CSC holds elections to determine the executive council.

19. LEADERSHIP
Sponsor/Patron/Mentor
 Passionate about computing
 A good mentor

20. COMMITTEE
 Committed to the club
 Willing to spare their time for the purpose of building the club
 Passionate about computing and about building the potential of
other students

21. CHALLENGES
Discussion

22. HOW BEST TO SUSTAIN A CS
CLUB
Discussion

23. Thanks!