Anonymous
Source: Santa Barbara High School
Santa Barbara High School Computer Science Academy students and director rack up the awards and recognition this spring! As an open academy, the CSA provides all interested SBHS students the opportunities to dabble, or in the case of these students, dive deep into the field of computer science.
The National Center for Women in Technology has announced their annual Aspirations in Computing Awards: Ella Onishuk, CSA junior at SBHS, is a Central California Affiliate winner for the 2019 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing awards and Joy Patterson , CSA sophomore at SBHS, is a Central California Affiliate Honorable Mention for the 2019 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing awards.
Onishuk has been exploring Computer Science since her freshman year. She has organized and taught after-school programs at local elementary schools introducing younger girls to Java. She is also Co-President of the Girls Who Code Club. Onishuk is currently working on a development team to produce an interactive touchscreen which will be on display at the Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation (MOXI) in Santa Barbara, CA.
Patterson discovered the creativity of coding early on and has tested it out in her CSA classes. She is Vice President of the Robotics Club and part of the CSA’s leadership team. This week, Patterson is headed to Washington D.C. to join her CSA app development teammates at the House of Code reception for Congressional App Award winners. Their award winning app features an interactive tourist map of Santa Barbara developed after the mudslides to boost the local tourist industry.
It’s no surprise to learn that these students have been mentored by dynamic and inspiring teachers! CSA Director and teacher, Richard Johnston , has been honored with 2 prestigious educator awards this spring: He is one of Santa Barbara County’s two 2019 Marvin Melvin Career Technical Educator Award recipients and will be honored at the May 23, Education Celebration in Buellton, sponsored by the Frank Schipper Construction Company and Tradart Foundation and coordinated by the SBCEO Teachers Network. In addition, he has, for the second time, been selected as a Central California Affiliate Educator Award winner for the 2019 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing awards . “Johnston,” as the students affectionately call him, is a teacher and director of unparalleled dedication and expertise.
While 90% of parents say they want their students to study computer science, only 35% of all high schools teach CS [ Computer Science Education Week ]. SBHS is fortunate to have an academy dedicated to CS and offering 4 career technical education pathways and 2 certificate programs. The Santa Barbara High School Computer Science Academy’s mission is to expose as many SBHS students as possible to computer science and related career fields early – in high school – and demonstrate its relevance to their academic and career interests. If you are part of that 90% of parents, be sure to check out the CSA’s website at sbhscs.org to learn more about the opportunities in computer science offered to SBHS students!
