Bills in this Story |
Mentioned in this Story |
Rep. Thad Claggett (R-Columbus) |
Rep. David Dobos (R-Columbus) |
Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Columbus) |
Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Columbus) |
Rep. Beryl Piccolantonio (D-Columbus) |
The House Technology and Innovation Committee heard a presentation Wednesday from TECH CORPS National Executive Director and CEO Lisa Chambers on the organization’s work, which Chambers said has involved direct support to nearly 25,000 students and 550 educators. TECH CORPS has also engaged over 2,000 technology professionals as volunteers.
A majority of those students are in urban areas as much of their funding comes from businesses investing “in their backyard,” she explained further, but they are working to do more in rural communities as well.
Chambers, who started at TECH CORPS as state director for Ohio, noted she was on the State Committee on Computer Science and helped with policy recommendations about computer science (CS) education.
She focused her presentation on topics of technology, innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) in terms of K-12 education, saying that more technology talent will be needed in the future as technology is further integrated into industries and large tech companies continue to expand in Ohio. TECH CORPS is working to meet that challenge, Chambers continued, and it develops and implements programs grounded in best practices in career-connected learning. That provides critical skills for success, and Chambers detailed her organization’s work on apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs in particular.
That work included two pilot programs to help high school students earn pre-apprenticeship certificates, industry-recognized credentials and OhioMeansJobs readiness seals. In 2024, that resulted in over 100 students earning a pre-apprenticeship certificate in the information technology (IT) career cluster with nearly half also earning an industry-recognized credential. Chambers said TECH CORPS hopes to expand those programs, which were in Central and Northeast Ohio, to include 375 students in 2025 and have 20 percent coming from rural communities. She said the pilot programs represent “a scalable model for addressing skills gaps and creating meaningful career pathways for students.”
Chambers also told the committee her organization was sponsoring an event in the Statehouse Atrium Wednesday to recognize nearly 300 high school students who participated in its statewide “Hackathon” and that those students would be available to meet with legislators. In total, they earned over $10,000 in cash and prizes for being part of regional winning teams working on mobile app development.
In response to Vice Chair Thad Claggett (R-Newark), Chambers said “early exposure” is key to building student interest in tech careers and that research shows it should happen by third and fourth grade. She also told the committee that coding is not the only form of computational thinking, as that also includes solving puzzles and other characteristics which school officials can more easily identify. There are tech career opportunities which never involve coding, Chambers said as well.
Rep. Adam Holmes (R-Nashport) commented that tech careers do not require a four-year degree anymore and Chambers said he was “spot on.” That represents a new view for the U.S. and is partly due to the amount of time colleges and universities need for curriculum changes compared to apprenticeship programs. She also detailed how apprenticeships allow students to earn and learn at the same time and not take on student debt.
Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna) asked about TECH CORPS’ plan to build relationships with schools, particularly at the elementary and middle school level. Chambers said they provide professional development for teachers related to CS and technology as well as youth technology camps. She further told the committee she thought promoting tech careers should start in kindergarten. Brown Piccolantonio said she didn’t disagree but asked how that should be handled along with foundational literacy and math skills given the limited time available in school days. Chambers discussed a past program that combined CS and math together rather than having them be taught separately.
Rep. David Dobos (R-Columbus) asked Chambers what she thought of bills such as HB623 (Dobos-Jones) requiring schools to offer at least one CS course. She said it sounded like a “great idea” if schools receive the investment needed to provide those courses.
Claggett also asked Chambers about her views regarding AI, saying it poses “enormous challenges” as well as opportunities. She answered that TECH CORPS is in the process of rolling out its AI strategy with three pillars of educators, students and itself as an organization to ensure it integrates AI the right way. Chambers additionally said AI is throwing “a lot” at educators quickly on top of adapting to CS. Teachers can be taught how to use AI and what is “behind the curtain,” she continued, as students use AI too.
Claggett asked whether students are being taught that AI platforms such as ChatGPT are not an academic source. Chambers said that depends on the school but she didn’t think Ohio is where it wants to be in that regard.
Chair Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) also talked about robotics education for kindergartners and first graders in her district, expressing appreciation for TECH CORPS’ work as well and encouraging members to attend the Hackathon event.
Story originally published in The Hannah Report on December 11, 2024. Copyright 2024 Hannah News Service, Inc.