Leonardo Martinez

Mr. Chomko presenting information about Data Analytics and Computer Science

PASE and PREP Engage Future Innovators in District-Wide Pathway Showcases

December 13th marked a significant day for the Passaic Academy for Science and Engineering (PASE) and Passaic Preparatory Academy (PREP), as they joined forces to host their Pathway Showcases, offering an insightful glimpse into the future of education for students across the district.

The activity commenced with the arrival of enthusiastic students from grades 5th to 8th, hailing from various parts of the district. The young learners, brimming with curiosity, were escorted to rooms filled with pathway teachers and an array of interactive activities. These sessions were designed not only to entertain but also to educate the students about the diverse offerings of both PASE and PREP.

As a PASE ambassador for the Data Analytics pathway, I had the privilege of managing the Data Analytics room, where I, along with two other diligent students, ensured that our visitors engaged in activities that provided a sneak peek into the realms of Data Analytics and Computer Science. The objective was clear: to impart valuable knowledge and kindle a passion for these cutting-edge fields.

The day’s events unfolded with pathway teachers – Mr. Chomko, Mr. Brown, and Ms. Garcia from the Computer Science pathway – delivering an enlightening presentation. They adeptly connected the dots between Data Analytics and Computer Science, using real-world examples like Netflix and YouTube’s data and machine learning algorithms to demonstrate practical applications of these subjects.

The interactive segment was particularly engaging. Students had hands-on experience with microbits and block coding via a dedicated website. Guided step-by-step, they learned to program images and bind these to the microbit’s buttons – a checkmark and an X. This exercise not only demonstrated basic coding skills but also emphasized logic and creativity.

Furthering their exploration, students delved into controlling a small color light attached to the microbit, associating the light’s on and off states with the aforementioned button images. The most advanced participants even ventured into programming the light to change colors, creating a strobe effect – a testament to their quick grasp of the concepts.

This Pathway Showcase was more than just an educational event; it was a celebration of young, inquisitive minds discovering their potential in the fields of data analytics and computer science. As a student ambassador, witnessing the excitement and enthusiasm of these budding learners was truly heartening. The day was devoid of disinterest; instead, it was filled with an atmosphere of eagerness and discovery.