Since 2002, the number of students graduating with Computer Science and related degrees has declined 58.5%. These fields comprise three of the top six largest job growth categories according to the latest data available from the US Department of Labor. The CS-STEM Education program will increase the size of the talent pool of applicants available to secure U.S. DoD networks and accelerate the rate of CS innovation by encouraging students to enroll in college level CS programs. To accomplish this, the program will create compelling activities and opportunities for middle and high school students to apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that will increase in complexity as the student grows to achieve a long term, positive impact on the student’s life and our nation’s talent pool.
In the 2006 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) comparison, American students ranked 21st out of 30 in science literacy among students from developed countries. President Obama’s Educate to Innovate campaign seeks to improve the participation and performance of America’s students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
One way DARPA supports the Educate to Innovate campaign is through the Computer Science – STEM (CS-STEM) program. CS-STEM seeks to help close the science literacy gap by creating online, collaborative networks of students that encourage CS education and skills through compelling games.
The Computer Science Student Network (CS2N) is an online network developed by DARPA performer Carnegie Mellon University to help students and teachers learn to solve computer science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (CS-STEM) problems. Students may create accounts and learn CS skills to create animations, program virtual robots, build video games and more – all through fun and engaging activities.
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About DARPA: The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) was established in 1958 to prevent strategic surprise from negatively impacting U.S. national security and create strategic surprise for U.S. adversaries by maintaining the technological superiority of the U.S. military. To fulfill its mission, the Agency relies on diverse performers to apply multi-disciplinary approaches to both advance knowledge through basic research and create innovative technologies that address current practical problems through applied research.