FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Florence School District One high school students can now take “coding classes.” The district is one of only two districts in the state to offer the class. The other district is in Lexington County.
High school students can learn how to build a computer, create apps and even websites, they’re called ‘I.T. interns’.
“I signed up for this class in order to gain experience in a coding setting,” said Freshman Samuel Farnsworth.
He looks up to Microsoft’s Bill Gates.
“He started from nothing and managed to build a huge company. Billions of dollars, I feel like… maybe someday I could live up to that,” said Farnsworth.
All three schools have a coding teacher, Tasha Davis is the teacher at Wilson High School.
“They have these apps… you’re using them… why not learn how to actually code or create them,” said Davis.
In the class, they will start off creating smaller apps but by the end of the semester, they will have created a larger app of their very own.
“Coding not only teaches you how to build an app, how to read another language or how to build a website. It teaches you teamwork, life skills such as collaboration, critical thinking skills and just being able to solve problems,” said Davis.
Students will continue with the class through their senior year, which will require an internship. District leaders hope it helps students follow computer-based careers.
“Cybersecurity, there is coding in banking, medical profession as far as health informatics. It’s a wide range of fields that are opening up,” said Dr. Kelvin Wymbs, Florence One Director of Secondary Education. “Our 21st-century kids, they are really technology savvy, innovative. So, coding is like second nature to them. What we are introducing them to are all of the careers, pathways, and opportunities that coding provides.”
That’s just what Farnsworth wants to do he hopes to one day work for Google or Apple. This semester he wants to build an app that will help people.
“It’s important to get into technology and help people out,” said Farnsworth.
Davis says at the end of the semester students may register their apps with the android or apple app store.
As the course develops district official’s the hope to develop dual enrollment classes with local universities like Francis Marion University.
