KAPAA — One high school student is taking technology to a higher level, byte by byte.
Senior Jake Reilly is president of Kapaa High School’s very first Computer Science Club, which began in January.
The club tackles topics ranging from computer production and repair to coding applications and websites.
“We started our club to create a place for those with an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education to collaborate and learn together,” Reilly said.
The curriculum — based on the four STEM disciplines — is creating more opportunities for Kapaa students.
“I’ve always had a passion for STEM education, and started the club to provide access to computer science to my peers,” Reilly said.
The club meets every Thursday after school. It plans to travel to the Mainland to learn more about real-life applications and realistic career options.
It has one main project underway, which is a club trip to Silicon Valley, California, Reilly said.
He is working with the San Francisco-based nonprofit Hack Club to organize a trip between Feb. 16 and 21 to show members what it’s like to work in a career in STEM.
Hack Clubs are places where students learn to code and build together. Each hour-long workshop walks students through the process of building a website, application or game for a fully functional online project.
Each workshop provides a starting point for a project, where students need to add and change features to build a better understanding of stack overflow, bug fixing and more. The philosophy is that the most effective way to learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript technologies is by becoming a self-taught programmer.
The high school club is in talks with YouTube, LinkedIn and a multitude of startups to coordinate office tours and discussion sessions with experts on their staffs.
It also confirmed tours with companies in Silicon Valley, such as Google, Facebook, Twitch.TV and (code editor) Sourcegraph, to show the students what a position in a STEM-based career would really be like, Reilly said.
Fundraisers are being planned for students to travel to the national event and benefit from interactions with programmers and technology experts. The club has created a GoFundMe account and plans to schedule car washes.
Good idea. But what is with your island’s politics? They are fail status. Read past articles on Matson company.
Hope it works out.
I can add. Politics. Reaching the fail status crew. STEM is a good thing. Make it a requirement to graduate if you join a club as this. And not just for the looks on a yearbook page.
So on your island’s politics. So on O-B-A-M-A. Ridiculous.
Hope it’s a success. The club.
Ok. “You want to do better? Be a role model. I already went to that night club.”
Do it.
Anything like you are on Eastern coast?
How about NYC,NY?