The Computer Science students presented a motivational showcase in early December. 

            An innovator of this program is Daryl Detrick, Warren Hills’ Computer Science teacher.  Detrick has been teaching Computer Science for the past 15 years and he is proud that the number of students keeps increasing.

“I started teaching Computer Science in 2002 with about 40 students. We now have 200 students taking it and are very proud to have 39 percent female participation which is double the national average,” he said.

Seniors Brianna Garland and Krupa Tishbi opened the showcase by explaining what STEM stands for: Science, Technology, Engineering & Math. 

“Computer Science is the science of problem solving and it teaches computational thinking and uses technology to solve problems,” Garland said. “The most common definition of Computer Science is the study of computation and technology, hardware and software.”  

  Garland said there are many jobs available within STEM careers and some starting salaries are around

$100,000.

Krupa added that STEM majors’ starting salary is way above the national average. 

“Computer Science is [one of] the top-paying college degree and jobs are growing at two times the national average,” she said.

Tishbi said one way to be involved in Computer Science at Warren Hills is the Hack-a-thon, an annual event held in June that introduces programming.

Garland and Tishbi also explained Computer Science course offerings. 

“Warren Hills offers courses such as Intro. to Computer Science, Computer Animation using Alice, AP Computer Science, Advanced Topics in Computer Science, and AP Computer Science Principles, which is a new course this year,” Garland said. 

Tishbi added that AP Computer Science Principles will be a first-level class, starting the 2018-2019 school year. Technology teacher Jeremy Willis also spoke about the engineering courses offered.

“Warren Hills Regional High School will offer five new engineering courses [next year]: Foundations of Green Energy, Foundations of Mechanical Energy, Foundations of Civil Energy, Electronics, and lastly Robotics,” he said.  “As for Principles of Engineering, it will be a second-level course and we are happy to welcome Honors Advanced Topics in Engineering.” 

New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Chief Innovation Officer Joshua Koen also attended the Computer Science showcase. Koen is a graduate of Virginia Technical University and an avid Computer Science supporter. 

Koen said he was very impressed by Warren Hills Computer Science students’ passion for the subject. He goes on to say how the class could expand and improve for the future.   

  “One very tangible and actionable way could be for students enrolled in well-established programs like Warren Hills to partner up with students from other school districts, like Newark and Paterson, to begin clubs,” he said. “Similarly, teachers from each school could partner to discuss how to grow a program and share resources.”