A Day That Gave Me Hope
As the school year winds down, we are taking a moment to reflect on the past year. Lien Diaz, director of educational innovation and leadership reflects on one of her favorte moments.
On December 7, 2018, 100 high school students from Atlanta Public Schools participated in the breakingthecode = [Breaking Barriers] event at Georgia Tech. The event celebrated and recognized the significance of Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) to promote awareness about computer science education and the impact this knowledge brings to the advancing technological world that is evolving at an increasing pace.
These students have been enrolled in an advanced computer science course at their school. Prior to this class, the majority of these students had never been exposed to the power of computing knowledge. Some students were eager to share their classroom projects with students from other Constellations schools and donors. It was exciting to see them share their new "superpower." It is crazy that all of this has occurred by simply giving them an opportunity to enroll and participate in the computer science course. In a short period ot time, these students have learned and achieved so much, even without having had prior exposure.
Watching the students get off their school bus and walking on to the Georgia Tech campus was a proud moment for the Constellations Center. I had met many of them during my monthly school visits over the fall 2018 semester. Every time I walk into one of the schools the reminders of having been a classroom teacher immediately become so vivid, like the sensation of knowing that what happens in a classroom shapes the minds of the future citizenry. This thought never leaves my mind.
As the students enjoyed a tour of the Georgia Tech’s campus I watched their faces as they observed the mechanics of a robot that can interact with humans and objects in a way they had never seen in person. I observed the way some students interacted with each other as they strolled on to the football stadium where I overheard one female student say something to the effect of, “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to come here again so let’s take a selfie”.
As teenager-esque that statement was, it really struck a chord in my soul. It got me thinking about how the Center is focused on equity and access. It made me think about how we can better shape educational experiences for students who still cannot see themselves beyond the barriers that are in plain sight and directly in front of them.
I thought to myself, one day we’ll decrease the educational distance between Georgia Tech and the low-income schools that are within an 10-mile radius. One day, we’ll break those barriers completely. But that on December 7,2019, for one day, at least, we brought the barrier down. It still isn’t enough, but I won't lose hope. Hope is the one thing that will break all barriers…one day. Income disparity and racism have no chance against hope. That’s breakingthecode = [Breaking Barriers].
