Elementary students in a half-dozen low-income areas of Iowa will get access to innovative computer science instruction through an initiative announced today by the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. The initiative will get startup funding from private-sector donations led by Iowa companies. 

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Roger Hargens, CEO of Accumold, who co-chair the advisory council, today announced the Computer Science is Elementary project. Six high-poverty schools will be competitively selected to transform existing buildings with engaging computer science instruction. 

The initiative is aimed at creating more opportunity for students, including real-life work experiences with area employers. It also will establish a network of computer science expertise as a resource for all public and non-public elementary schools across the state, the governor’s office said in a release.

“Computer science is a new basic skill in the 21st century,” Reynolds said. “It is critical to build a strong foundation early so students are ready for outstanding career opportunities in a technology-driven economy. These are Iowa jobs that pay well with a lot of potential for growth.” 

The Loess Hills School District, which pioneered one of the first computer science elementary schools in the nation three years ago, provided the inspiration for the project. Loess Hills Computer Science Elementary School in Sioux City will serve as a blueprint for the project, which aligns with the Future Ready Iowa initiative to prepare more Iowans for rewarding, high-demand jobs.

“The computer science workforce shortage that employers face will grow unless we accelerate computer science instruction in K-12 schools,” Hargens said. “Many more jobs will require at least some computer science in the future, even if they are not strictly IT positions.”

Gary Scholten, executive vice president and chief digital and information officer at Principal Financial Group, is leading corporate engagement and support for the project. 

The campaign is working to raise $450,000 from the private sector by December. That money will provide $50,000 one-time planning grants for each of the six schools; $50,000 for Loess Hills Computer Programming School to serve as a blueprint; and $100,000 for a project manager. 

Once the six schools are launched, they will operate with regular school funding like Loess Hills Computer Programming School in Sioux City. Contributions so far include $175,000 total from Principal, MidAmerican Energy Co. Rockwell Collins and Kemin Industries.

The Computer Science is Elementary Advisory Group will meet Aug. 29 to begin designing the criteria to select public and nonpublic elementary school awardees. In January 2019, the STEM Council will issue requests for proposals and plans to announce the awards in spring 2019.