Local Middle Schoolers Given Opportunity to Participate in Camp Code

May 10, 2021

Texas Tech University will host 80 middle school students this summer at “Raiders Who Code” camp, thanks to a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.

Texas Tech University was awarded a $64,390 grant by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) for Camp Code to focus on increasing middle schoolers' interest in coding and computer science.

The goal of the grant funding is to increase students' experiences with hands-on experiences that allow them to learn problem-solving and analytical skills while fostering an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics- (STEM-) related careers with a focus on computer science.

“The growing demand for high-skilled technical workers means Texas must continue to attract more students into STEM fields,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel, a Texas Tech alumnus. “Through programs like Camp Code, TWC remains committed to building a diverse workforce with the foundation in STEM necessary to keep our world-class economy growing.”

Texas Tech will host two sessions of “Raiders Who Code” in June. The first session is a residential camp from June 6-10. The second session is a day camp experience from June 21-25. The free camp will provide 80 students with a diverse curriculum that covers programming and coding activities across a broad spectrum of applications.

Hands-on, practical activities will not only provide campers experience with industry-standard coding and programming languages and environments, but also with practical uses of those programs, such as mobile and web applications, robotics and 3D printers.

“‘Raiders Who Code' is a unique experience for middle school-age students from the Lubbock community to engage with programming, robotics, game design and mobile app development,” said grant co-author Daniel Kelly, an assistant professor of STEM education in Texas Tech's Department of Curriculum and Instruction within the College of Education. “These camps are specifically focused on Lubbock youth who do not usually have access to this type of program, with a priority placed on underserved populations, such as those with special needs, underrepresented minorities and children in foster care. Because these populations frequently do not have the means to participate in high-quality extracurricular STEM programs, these camps are free of charge.”

Click here for more information on “Raiders Who Code.”

tags: Academics, College of Education, Stories, events, provost

Texas Tech University

A new era of excellence is dawning at Texas Tech University as it stands on the cusp of being one of the nation's premier research institutions.

Research and enrollment numbers are at record levels, which cement Texas Tech's commitment to attracting and retaining quality students. In fall 2020, the university achieved a goal more than a decade in the making, reaching a total student population of more than 40,000. In 2018, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education again placed Texas Tech among its top doctoral universities in the nation in the “Very High Research Activity” category. Texas Tech is one of 94 public institutions nationally and 131 overall to achieve this prestigious recognition.

Quality students need top-notch faculty. Texas Tech is home to a diverse, highly revered pool of educators who excel in teaching, research and service. The university strives to foster an environment that celebrates student accomplishment above all else. Texas Tech is large enough to provide the best in facilities and academics but prides itself on being able to focus on each student individually.

The momentum for excellence at Texas Tech has never been greater.

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College of Education

The College of Education at Texas Tech University offers a full range of programs, including 9 doctoral degrees, 10 master's degrees, two bachelor's degrees and numerous specializations which can lead to careers in public or private education as teachers, professors, administrators, counselors and diagnosticians.

Programs in the college are housed in three departments.

The Department of Curriculum & Instruction offers advanced degrees that prepare leaders, researchers, and professors with the knowledge, skills, and practical application experience needed to analyze, construct, and evaluate curricula in ways that create optimal learning conditions for all learners. Language and literacy, bilingual education and STEM education are just a few of the specializations offered by C&I.

The Department of Educational Psychology & Leadership consists of a diverse group of academic programs that equip students with a comprehensive knowledge of learning, motivation, development, and educational foundations. The disciplines of counseling and school psychology are housed within the EP&L department as are programs to prepare future college administrators, primary and secondary school and district leaders, as well as practical and academic educational psychologists.

The Department of Teacher Education focuses solely on teacher preparation, ensuring that teacher candidates are ready for the classroom on day one. The Teacher Education Department is home to TechTeach, an innovative teacher preparation program that puts teacher candidates into public school classrooms for a full year and requires that students pass teacher certification tests prior to entering the classroom. Various paths to teaching careers, including fast-track distance programs statewide and alternative certification options, are also housed in this department.

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