About

The Friday Institute partners with NC DPI, Code.org, the Beauty and Joy of Computing, NC School Districts, and NC Career and Technical Education to create greater exposure and opportunities for students in North Carolina to explore computer science. A foundational goal of these partnerships is developing, testing, and refining strategies and resources that enable teachers to further students’ attainment of computer science concepts and practices. Researchers at the Friday Institute collaborate closely with practitioners in NC schools and districts to identify pressing needs and/or opportunities in computer science teaching and learning and then conduct theory-driven research to iteratively improve how programs and policies are working.

As part of the national CS4ALL initiative, the Friday Institute:

  • Conducts research and designs learning resources that guide and support the teaching/learning of computer science and computational thinking
  • Advises schools and districts interested in developing a focus on computer science
  • Engages with leaders and policy makers at the national, state, district and school levels on the opportunities and challenges for CS education
  • Hosts the CS4NC summit and works on statewide planning with cross-sector partners to develop strategies and recommendations for a more coordinated statewide effort for CS Education in North Carolina

Partners

Beauty and Joy of Computing
Code.org
Career and Technical Education
NC DPI

Why Computer Science?

“Ensuring that our nation’s urban and rural children have the chance to become proficient in computer science is a sure way to set them on a trajectory to great career options. We need to do this to close the digital divide and level the playing field.”
— Wendy Kopp
Founder, Teach for America

 

“As we think about preparing our children for college and careers in a hyper-connected, technology driven world, there is no question that computer science is more important than ever before. That’s why more students in K-12 should be exposed to computer science.”
— Michael Cohen
President, Achieve.org

 

“Learning to code makes kids feel empowered, creative, and confident. If we want our young women to retain these traits into adulthood, a great option is to expose them to computer programming in their youth.”
— Susan Wojcicki
CEO, YouTube

 

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