(December 8, 2022) As part of Computer Science Education Week, CHS students Eden Patterson (he/him) and Helena Urban (she/her) participated in the statewide PA Elementary CS Career panel earlier this week.
 
Andrew Kuhn from the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit organized the panel, hosted by the PAIU STEM Pals. The group of presenters included two students, two teachers, and two CS professionals, along with Kuhn who moderated.
 
Patterson and Urban spoke to elementary students, teachers and administrators, and community members across Pennsylvania about their involvement, love and enthusiasm for computer science. The goal of the panel was to inspire educators to start teaching computer science at an elementary level. 

During the panel, both Urban and Patterson advised K-6 students across Pennsylvania to “ask lots of questions.” Both students have been programming since a young age and are taking computer science courses at CHS. Urban acknowledged Mr. Eisner, her Calculus teacher, and Patterson mentioned Mr. Berntsen, his guitar teacher, as influences in their success, as well as countless family, friends, and teachers who have inspired them.
 
Urban volunteers as a mentor with Girls Who Code in Cheltenham. Patterson plans to visit classes at Cheltenham Elementary next week in celebration of Computer Science Education Week.