Coeur d'Alene Newsletter - April-May 2019
From the desk of Charles Buck
Happy spring!
We are excited as our ‘busy season’ starts to sprout. We just received the go-ahead for a fourth year of high school teacher training for our Computational Thinking and Problem Solving dual credit course. The Idaho STEM Action Center, organized in the office of the Governor, will provide the funding for this crucial professional development to be held in Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls this summer. By offering this course, districts large and small can meet the legislative mandate that every public high school provide Computer Science by fall 2019.
The STEM Action Center is an amazing U of I partner, tirelessly promoting STEM education and awareness throughout the state. Their focus on teacher professional development has supported more than 17-thousand teacher interactions. They also champion and fund scores of STEM activities including MakerMinded, a new experiential learning platform for K-12 schools. At U of I Coeur d’Alene alone, STEM AC has provided funding for our Idaho Regional Mathematics Center, our Co-op workplace learning program, development of a high school computer science teacher endorsement and MacBooks for Inspire Idaho, the free statewide app development coding program.
The support we have received from the STEM Action Center, including their hands on participation and enthusiastic support, has been instrumental in helping to create a shift towards technology awareness and a better trained tech workforce in North Idaho. We thank STEM AC for their collaboration and look forward to continuing this effective partnership.
Back to the ‘busy season’, I invite you to read on for information about upcoming community-shaping activities: commencement, our Tech & Innovation Summit, and the seventh season (!) of Dig’nIT, our tech summer camp and high school tech internship program.
We are fortunate to enjoy the wonderful spring views of the Spokane River from our Harbor Center location, the vibrant startup culture at the Innovation Den Computer Science suite and a growing list of tech-based neighbors at the U of I Research Park at Riverbend Commerce Park in Post Falls. It is great to be with the University in Coeur d’Alene!
I hope you are also enjoying the promise of a new spring.
Thanks for reading and be sure to send along any suggestions or questions!
Charles Buck
buck@uidaho.edu
Noteworthy
2019 Commencement
The University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene will host commencement at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 6 at the Schuler Performing Arts Center in Boswell Hall at North Idaho College. All staff, faculty and community partners are encouraged to attend and celebrate the achievements of the 33 graduates who will walk in the ceremony. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the local students earning degrees: Katie Carter (Psychology and Organizational Sciences), Amanda Ward and Alex Parenti (Computer Science), Stephanie Martin (Elementary Education).
Tech & Innovation Summit
The University of Idaho/ITC Tech & Innovation Summit will bring local business, education and community leaders together on Tuesday, April 23. Stakeholders from the College of Engineering and North Idaho College will discuss the status of the Computer Science program and future opportunities for high tech education in Kootenai County. This includes plans for a Tech & Innovation Center where additional degree programs and entrepreneurship can grow. For information on the summit or long term planning, contact Mary Lee Ryba at mryba@uidaho.edu/.
Dig’nIT Registration Open
Camper spots are filling up fast and high school interns are encouraged to apply for the seventh season of the Dig’nIT program. 2019 brings new camps and partnerships along with some steady favorites like Girls Coding and Cosmetic Chemistry. iDventure returns for a second year with the Panda Ambassador Youth Program, pairing local students with youth from China to learn code and gain community awareness together. To meet the needs of more young students, U of I Coeur d’Alene will host two camps at the Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene Boys and Girls Clubs. Full camp details can be found online, while students completing tenth to twelfth grade can apply for the paid Dig’nIT internships.
Social Media
For more frequent updates, highlights and events at U of I Coeur d’Alene, join our community on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you would like to nominate an individual to be featured, email Katie Marshall.
If we missed your story or upcoming event, send a link or details to kmarshall@uidaho.edu.