NSF Director, UW President, Others to Explore Future of Computing Education

National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, University of Wyoming President Ed Seidel, a dozen CEOs/CIOs of leading technology companies, several Wyoming community college presidents and others will discuss the future of computing education Wednesday, Sept. 22, at UW.

The “Future Forward” session, set to start at 10:30 a.m., is part of the Wyoming Blockchain Stampede, a multiday series of events that aims to unite worldwide participants with thought leaders, legislators and change makers at the forefront of major impacts to the world’s future in blockchain technology.

Those wishing to participate should register at https://wyohackathon.io/.

The computing education discussions will take place at the UW Conference Center. Virtual participation also will be possible via the Zoom link provided upon registration.

Seidel and Panchanathan will give opening remarks for the computing education sessions at 10:30 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. roundtable discussion that will focus on “The Future of Computing Education.”

“Computing has disrupted virtually every aspect of the world we live in, including computing education,” Seidel says. “What are the key aspects of computing education that UW, Wyoming’s community colleges and Wyoming’s K-12 system should be focusing on? What are the characteristics that we should be working to develop in our students related to computing? Those are the topics we will explore.”

Seidel will lead another panel to address “Action Planning the Future Forward Vision.”

Providing Wyoming students and citizens with a future-leaning computing education will require a common vision among various stakeholders, tangible goals and objectives, and investments, Seidel says.

The Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP), a new effort involving UW, the community colleges and Gov. Mark Gordon, is envisioned as a vehicle for such an endeavor. Panelists will suggest and discuss specific goals and objectives that WIP should consider regarding computing in Wyoming.