Idaho Codes to boost computer literacy
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 1 month AGO
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | April 23, 2020 1:12 AM
Governor, project partners announce new computer science program
Twelve hundred Idaho students are going to get a free upgrade on their computer programming skills.
Gov. Brad Little and industry, government and education leaders announced the new Idaho Codes program Wednesday morning. Idaho Codes is an online, self-paced, computer science course that teaches students across the state in seventh through 12th grades how to build websites and develop apps with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The students need no experience to participate. Urban and rural students alike will be able to access 120 hours of professional-grade curriculum, earn high school and college credit and find mentorship opportunities.
The first 1,000 students who register will get the normally $200 fee waived thanks to donations from the Acahand Foundation and St. Luke’s Health System in partnership with the Idaho STEM Action Center.
The public announcement was made during a Zoom conference with several project partners, including Rep. Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, whose two teenage sons are experiencing remote learning during the pandemic.
"The reality is, more and more of their world involves technology, and now is the time to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the world around them,” she said. "We need our 21st century students to be computer literate."
DeMordaunt said now is the perfect time for the delivery of a technology learning opportunity and Idaho Codes is an optimal platform to increase computer literacy among Idaho's students.
In order for them to have jobs in health care, cyber security, forestry, food processing, advanced manufacturing, mining, DeMordaunt said, "You name it, our Idaho kids have to be computer literate in almost any field.”
According to Little, computing literacy is a priority and necessity for Idaho. This program will help establish a workforce that will encourage businesses to grow their Idaho operations or attract others from out of state.
"Job opportunities in computer science will continue to grow," he said.
The Idaho Codes program is spearheaded by the Idaho Technology Council and the Idaho STEM Action Center.
The Education Commission of the States anticipates computing jobs in Idaho will grow 19 percent by 2027.
Visit www.IdahoCodes.org for information or for students to register for Idaho Codes.
MORE FRONT-PAGE-SLIDER STORIES

STEM-azing educators: NI STEM Charter teacher earns award for excellence
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 2 years, 7 months ago
ARTICLES BY DEVIN WEEKS
Post 143 Honor Guard presents demonstration of military funeral honors
Post 143 Honor Guard presents demonstration of military funeral honors
Sunlight glinted off the tear streaming down Ken Johnson's face while he presented rifle shell casings to a weeping widow. Although it was a demonstration of military funeral honors, the moment was poignant as the widow was played by his own wife, Desiree Johnson. "It happens every time," Johnson said after the demonstration, describing how difficult it can be to look into the eyes of a mourning family member and hold back the tears.
Silverwood donates $200K for indoor school and youth sports complex
Silverwood donates $200K for indoor school and youth sports complex
An indoor sports complex will be a game changer for Lakeland High School.

FAST FIVE Kassi Allen: Service is her anchor
Meet Kassi Allen, a lifetime local, owner of Anchored Coffee Company and a passionate advocate for first responders in North Idaho.