Toll Gate `83 grad plugs Raimondo's computer science initiative

By Tessa Roy
Posted 12/20/16

By TESSA ROY After taking the school's first-ever programming class during his senior year at Toll Gate in 1983, Kip Fern discovered he had a passion for computer science. He went on to receive a degree in the field from MIT, become a volunteer and

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Toll Gate `83 grad plugs Raimondo's computer science initiative

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After taking the school’s first-ever programming class during his senior year at Toll Gate in 1983, Kip Fern discovered he had a passion for computer science. He went on to receive a degree in the field from MIT, become a volunteer and eventually Senior Manager at Microsoft TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools), and last year had the opportunity to join Governor Gina Raimondo in unveiling the Computer Science for Rhode Island (CS4RI) initiative in partnership with TEALS.

“I saw the challenge our math teacher had teaching the programming class because he was learning computer science along with his students,” Fern said. “Fast-forward 30-plus years and these challenges still exist in high schools across the country. That ultimately led me to become a Microsoft TEALS volunteer and eventually work for TEALS full time.”

The TEALS program is “dedicated to pairing local volunteer computer science experts with high school teachers to create a sustainable and rigorous computer science program.”

Fern said he was “thrilled” to help make Raimondo’s initiative a reality.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to be able to do this in my home state, because I know firsthand how difficult yet life-changing it is to have access to computer science education,” he said.

 As these technologies continue to advance, schools and teachers will need to keep up, which makes CS4RI all the more critical, Fern said.

“Computer programming has rapidly advanced in terms of complexity and critical thinking skills over the years. There are now various levels of programming classes at all levels, just like there are various levels of math or science,” he said.

As a TEALS volunteer, Fern saw firsthand how computer science could make a difference, especially in one student named Nathalia. After taking an introductory course her senior year, Nathalia continued pursuing computer science. She went to Stanford, where she majored in computer science and became actively involved with bringing computer science to other young women. She had participated in summer internships at high tech companies, and Fern recently found out that she accepted a full-time job at Microsoft, which she will start after she graduates.

Furthermore, Fern said that Fred Humphries, corporate vice president of U.S. Government Affairs at Microsoft, along with Governor Raimondo met with a TEALS class at Central Falls High School hoping to "spark an interest" in the field of science, technology, engineering and math.

“Fred was blown away by the enthusiasm of the students and was excited to see diversity among the girls and boys learning computer science in Rhode Island,” he said.

Half of the public schools in Rhode Island now offer at least one computer science class (Toll Gate is one of seven high schools participating in TEALS, Fern said), and even more is to come. Though TEALS focuses on high school, other CS4RI partners offer programs for K-12 to help all kids at all levels.

“We want all students at all levels to have the opportunity to learn computer science of critical thinking skills,” Fern said.

Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Education John King paid a visit to Rhode Island to receive demonstrations from students in computer science classes at West Warwick High School and Providence Career and Technical Academy. Fern “loved” that the secretary had chosen to showcase the state’s initiatives.

“It is a clear indication that Rhode Island is a leader across the country in bringing its schools into the 21st century using a great public-private partnership model,” he said of the visit.

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