Corning Glass Microsystems recently presented Santa Barbara High School Computer Science Academy (CSA) Foundation Board with a donation of $2,500.
All of the funds raised by the CSA Foundation board support SBHS Computer Science Academy, a unique program that seeks to expose as many SBHS students as possible to the field of computer science.
The check was presented to Paula Cassin, SBHS CSA Foundation board president, and Richard Johnston, CSA co-director, by Marie O’Regan, director of R&D, and Anthony Schuck, strategic sourcing and pipelining consultant, from Corning Glass Microsystems.
“Computer Science is becoming the backbone of Corning’s IT and software manufacturing automation, so we would like to support students with these career aspirations,” said Schuck.
“We have Santa Barbara High School alumni working for Corning, myself included, and we are especially pleased to support this unique local pipeline for future employees,” he said.
SBHS has the most in-depth computer science program in the district, offering the greatest variety of classes and options for students interested in this area of study.
The program is also unique because as an open academy, students can join as freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors. They do not need any prior computer science knowledge, just curiosity and solid academic standing.
Research shows underrepresented students, including women, who try AP computer science in high school are seven to 10 times more likely to major in it in college.
“Our division, Corning Glass Microsystems, is committed to continuing our sponsorship of the SBHS Computer Science Academy,” said Schuck.
Corning Glass Microsystems stemmed from local roots to become part of Corning, one of the world’s leading innovators in materials science: In 2017, Corning Incorporated acquired the Santa Barbara-based Invenios, the world-renowned expert in micro-electro-mechanical systems. In 2019, Corning expanded into its Goleta facility.
“We thank Corning Glass Microsystems for this generous support, and for setting a great example of paying it forward by industries whose success is becoming more and more dependent on Computer Science education,” said Paula Cassin, CSA Foundation board president.
“Our corporate foundation sponsors like Corning are companies that are creating future opportunities for our students, and we can’t wait to put this to good use in support of our many student programs,” Cassin said.
For example, the CSA Foundation board works with local companies to create opportunities for students to interact with programmers, software designers, engineers and other industry professionals. Options include mentoring, industry speaking, field trips, job shadowing, hackathons, internships, and sponsorship support.
Local companies who have donated their time include: AppFolio, Deckers, FastSpring, Karl Storz, Novacoast, Procore, QAD, Sonos, and Allosphere/MAT lab at UCSB.
To learn more, call 805-966-9101 Ext. 5027 or visit sbhscs.org/support/.
The SBHS Computer Science Academy Foundation board is a nonprofit entity that operates independently from the Computer Science Academy and SBHS. The foundation board helps raise money for the academy. All of the funds go directly to support CSA programs.
To get involved or support the CSA Foundation, visit https://sbhscs.org/support/.
The Computer Science Academy’s mission is to expose as many SBHS students as possible to computer science and to demonstrate its relevance to their academic and career interests. The Career Technical Education (CTE) program prepares students to pursue a career in this dynamic field. For more information, visit https://sbhscs.org.
— Juliana Minsky for Santa Barbara High School Computer Science Academy Foundation.