Elementary and middle school students will learn computer coding through a grant Fayetteville State University's School of Business and Economics received from the Google Community Grants Fund.
The $54,231 grant will be used for a project called Coding Camp: Training the Next Generation of Computer Science Professionals, according to a statement released Friday by FSU officials. One hundred disadvantaged young people will be taught coding through a partnership between FSU and Smith Recreation Center, which is across the street from the FSU campus.
The grant seeks to acquire equipment and increase to access computers, teach computational thinking practices to young people, and raise awareness of computer science as a way to improve education.
Bee Yew, an assistant professor of management information systems in FSU's School of Business and Economics, and Pam Jackson, dean of the school, are working on the grant.
Jackson said the project will teach students an important component of computer science and help them better understand science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
"This grant demonstrates community collaboration at its best," Jackson said. "Fayetteville State University, especially the faculty in the School of Business and Economics, is always looking for ways to partner with our neighboring communities and provide resources for them to increase and enhance their skills and knowledge."
Staff writer Steve DeVane can be reached at devanes@fayobserver.com or 486-3572.