The importance of Computer Science education

Computers now rule the world: cars are computers we put our bodies into, pacemakers and hearing aids are computers inside our bodies, and nuclear power plants are controlled by computers. I want to be a part of this revolution, and so I have been studying Computer Science all four years of high school. However in the United States, the majority of students do not have the opportunity to pursue this expanding career at an early age, as too often is the study of Computer Science absent from the curriculum. I strongly believe that Computer Science is needed in all elementary and high schools, as it promotes critical thinking skills which can be applied to many other disciplines.

I have learned first-hand how the study of Computer Science is not simply about writing code, but about learning why that code works. This skill is one I have been able to apply to all my classes in some way - the skills I have learned in my CS331 Advanced Data Structures course I also apply to my physics, biology, and geography courses. For example, I was able to use my DNA analyzer program made in CS331 to a biology project involving turning DNA sequences into proteins. The ability to apply knowledge I have gained from my classes is something I value greatly.

However, I do not want to be alone in this endeavor - students across the country should be given the chance to feel as passionately about the subject as I have. Since I first learned that this seemingly simple concept of a series of on/off switches can do unimaginably complex tasks, my interest in the field has grown exponentially. This excitement for knowledge is something I want all students to experience, for we all use some form of computing every day. The impact the digital revolution has had is unimaginable, but it is still possible to understand a small part of that impact. I have been inspired by a medley of people within the field of Computer Science, such as my teachers, but also industry leaders and startup founders which I have met through various conferences and employment opportunities. I want to share this inspiration by ensuring this subject is taught at all schools, so that I can return after my formal education is complete and help a future generation follow in my footsteps.