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New elementary school magnet teaches computer coding

8/13/2019

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Richland School District Two is adding yet another intriguing magnet to its illustrious offerings. Computer science is coming to Sandlapper Elementary School. Sandlapper will transform into the Computer Science Immersion School (CSIS) where all students, kindergarten through fifth grade will develop coding skills as part of the daily curriculum. The purpose of this new magnet is to prepare students to become effective collaborators and communicators, computational and creative thinkers as well as problem solvers with a global perspective.

According to Magnet Lead Teacher Tim Swick, CSIS will help students meet a growing need in the job industry. “The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2020 there will be a one million job gap in the field of computer science, with students being unprepared for the skills that American companies are demanding,” said Swick.

Sandlapper is collaborating with Code to the Future, the nation’s leading Computer Science program for Magnet Schools, to implement its new magnet across all grade levels and content areas. This partnership comes as a growing number of schools around the country are using computer science and games like Minecraft to help students learn everything from math to language skills with the purpose of preparing 21st century scholars with the essential skills to be successful in the future. Students will be engaged in a structured program that will provide them with 60 minutes or more of Computer Science lessons a week.

Some key concepts of the program include engaging students with real world data, tools, and experts they will encounter in college, on the job, and in life; utilizing multiple measures of mastery of student understanding and engagement; and integrating community resources with business partnerships and service learning projects.

Parents and students can learn more by calling the school at 803-691-4045, attending the Richland Two Choice Fair at 5:45 p.m., Dec. 3, 2019 at 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia SC, and/or attending a magnet information meeting, at 6:30 p.m., Jan. 13, 2020 at Sandlapper located at 1001 Longtown Road E, Columbia, SC.