Each year, the Google CS4HS (Computer Science for High School) grant program provides funding to university-initiated projects across Europe, Middle East and Africa that encourage computer science teacher training and curriculum development at the secondary school level.
With a grant from Google’s Education Group, universities develop 2-3 day workshops for local high school and middle school CS teachers. These workshops incorporate informational talks by industry leaders, and discussions on new and emerging CS curricula at the high school and middle school level. Google currently offer CS4HS grants in the US, Canada, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Google CS4HS has funded 3 exciting projects in Sub-Saharan Africa over the past two years.
@iLab Research Centre at Strathmore University in Kenya ran workshops for computer science teachers, students and administrators from secondary schools across the country, with a special emphasis on schools located in rural or marginalized areas of the country and girls’ schools.
The Strathmore University project included a 3 day workshop with best practices in teaching programming, database design and use of social media. They also ran a national competition for 130 participants.
Makerere University in Uganda ran a project to improve the quality of applicants to the school’s computer science program. The project trained high school teachers and advocated for computing curriculums in high schools. The project also built a web portal with free resources for high school teachers and students.
The University of Cape Town in South Africa addressed the lack of highly-trained computer science teachers by running high school level programming courses and created a website with teaching materials. They have delivered two pilot courses in Cape Town, introducing 120 school children to Python programming.
Applications for the 2012 CS4HS grant are now open. On the CS4HS website, you’ll find information on how to apply for a CS4HS grant, information for workshop attendees and partners, and other helpful resources. Deadline for submission of application is March 3, 2012