Looking to fill a void in an essential learning medium, science instructor Dr. Stacy Jones applied for the Data Science For All (DS4A)/Empowerment program. The online coding camp is open exclusively to under-represented students and working professionals.
"It really stemmed from the end of Adobe Flash," says Jones. "Many of the free interactive lessons and labs relied heavily on Flash."
With the online environment currently serving as an essential medium in education, Jones realized that picking up coding skills would alleviate such instances where he is left in limbo. Moreover, it would allow him to design and code resources tailored perfectly to the needs of his students. However, Jones didn't believe in his chances of getting accepted into DS4A's second cohort.
"This 13-week camp seemed ideal. I decided to apply, not expecting to get in," said Jones. "When I made it to the interview process, I doubted that I would be selected. I was pleasantly surprised that I was selected as a member of the cohort of 1,000 from the 24,000 applicants."
"It is a true honor," Jones expressed.
The Python coding camp was established to equip those without a coding background with the necessary how-to. Instructed by teachers from high-ranked universities, including Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Saturday-only data analytics training program, which started on March 20, 2021, involves team-based projects and is set to continue through the summer.