Is teaching programming with C++ the best way to introduce your students to computer science? What about the approaching switch to Java? Are the software and hardware costs becoming excessive? Is remaining with Basic, including Visual Basic, acceptable? Are there aspects of computer science that are being missed? What can be done about the gender gap? What will give your students the greatest advantage when they continue on into computer science or computer engineering in college?

UNL welcomes high school and community college teachers from Nebraska to participate in a workshop early this summer at which these questions will be answered, practical options presented, and continuing assistance be made available. Use of the programming languages is the focus of the workshop.

When is the Workshop
This summer's workshop will be held June 11-15. Most costs, including housing on campus (for those coming from a distance), meals, and materials are covered by funding from the Arts & Sciences Areas of Strength. There will be an option to receive education credit (for the additional cost of tuition.) Space is limited to 30 participants.

Purpose of the Series
The Computer Science & Engineering Department at UNL is seeking to expand its service to Nebraska high schools with a series of summer workshops. The theme of these workshops is how computer science can best be taught at the entry level, considering pedagogy, resource constraints, gender imbalance, curriculum flexibility, perceptions of the subject, and ease of preparation. The focus of previous workshops was balanced coverage of the breadth of computer science and the role of mathematics, in particular discrete mathematics in computer science.

To register, complete the online registration form or contact The Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education, jkaufman@unlnotes.unl.edu or call (402)472-8965 by May 23.

Specific questions about materials or content may be e-mailed to Dr. Charles Riedesel at riedesel@cse.unl.edu.