Husson University’s New England School of Communications Joins in the Hour of Code Learning Event for Students

Published on: December 10, 2014

BANGOR, MAINE - Husson University’s New England School of Communications and College of Business will once again be participating in the Hour of Code, an international program designed to give students a hands-on experience in computer programming. Students from Hermon High School will be visiting the campus on Thursday, December 11, 2014 from noon to 1 PM to participate in the program. 

The event, organized by Code.org and supported by Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Best Buy, as well as over 100 additional partners, is taking place during Computer Science Education Week from December 8 - 14.

In 2013, Code.org first organized the Hour of Code — a campaign aimed at demystifying computer science and encouraging millions to try it for an hour. In its first year, the program had 20 million students participating and half were girls. This year, the program hopes to see 100 million students participate, including 110 students from the Bangor area. 

Professors and students from Husson will also offer the Hour of Code program on the following day during a visit the Dr. Lewis S. Libby School in Milford.

As part of the Hour of Code, students will create interactive greeting cards, games, online drawings and other activities. This year, Disney has collaborated with Code.org to offer an Ana and Elsa programming activity based on the characters in the highly popular movie, Frozen. 

“An Hour of Code makes computer programming fun and approachable,” said Laura Gurney, assistant professor at New England School of Communications at Husson University. “Introducing technology to students early is the best way to get them interested in it.”

Code.org says that 90 percent of American schools do not offer computer programming classes. In addition, fewer students are learning how computers “work” when compared to a decade ago. It is estimated that there will be 1 million more computing jobs than students by the year 2020. 

Hermon High School students will be participating in the Hour of Code in Room 209 in the Beardsley Meeting House on December 11. 

Participating faculty include: Laura Gurney, assistant professor at the New England School of Communications (NESCom) at Husson University; Michael Knupp, assistant professor of information technology at Husson University’s College of Business, Scott Traylor, webmedia program instructor at NEScom; and Gerald Wright, program manager and assistant professor of information technology at Husson University’s College of Business. 

Husson University student volunteers who will be participating in the sessions at the Dr. Lewis S. Libby School in Milford, Maine on December 12 include: Gary Bragdon, James Campbell, Brianne Corey, Lance Days, Charlie Fabri, Jason Fell, Jordan Hallett, Dominic Masaisi, Isaiah Moran, Calvin Mosian, Anastasia PaineParadis, Brandon Seekins and Tiandra Welch.

For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.