Newswise — Next week Code.org, an influential non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science, is promoting and sponsoring the Hour of Code, a grassroots campaign that aims for tens of millions of students around the world to try hour-long tutorials in coding.

Dr. Jeff Gray, a professor of computer science at The University of Alabama and a member of Code.org's Education Advisory Council, said the Hour of Code provides an opportunity that may be the first and only exposure of students to concepts of computer science.

"The potential to spark an interest in some students and to help them become aware of career opportunities is a strong reason for classrooms at all grade levels to participate," Gray said. "The type of logic-based problem solving, while contextualized in an environment that is a lot of fun (e.g., Star Wars, Frozen, Minecraft, Angry Birds,) introduces students to a new set of concepts that are not covered in other classes at their school."

Working with www.Code.org this past year, Gray traveled across the state to lead training workshops for about 550 elementary-level teachers, hoping to get them to incorporate ideas from computer science into their curriculum.

Gray is a national leader in computer science education. With several National Science Foundation grants, Gray has worked with the College Board and Google to craft a new Advanced Placement computer-science course designed to increase secondary and post-secondary educational interest in computer science and improve collegiate preparation for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) awareness. Gray also works to train high school teachers to integrate computer science into technology courses and teach the upcoming new AP computer science course.

Working with Code.org this past year, Gray led training workshops for about 550 elementary-level teachers in Alabama, hoping to get them to incorporate ideas from computer science into their curriculum.

He hosts an annual Alabama Robotics Competition for middle and high school students along with summer computer camps for similarly aged students.

To speak to Dr. Gray about computer science education or the Hour of Code, please contact him at [email protected] or 205-348-2847.