News Briefs
CMU Launches High School Computer Science Curriculum
Carnegie Mellon University, world-renowned for computer science and artificial intelligence, has launched a free, online curriculum for high school students that helps instructors teach programming skills using engaging graphics and animations.
The curriculum fills a gap between introductory computer science educational materials available for grades K-8 and the rigorous Advanced Placement courses that the most advanced students might take later in high school, said David Kosbie, an associate teaching professor and co-director of the School of Computer Science's new Computer Science Academy.
"This isn't 'drag and drop' programming," Kosbie said. "We're teaching them to use Python, a text-based programming language that is the most widely taught language at the university level."
Python also is one of the most popular programming languages in industry, used by such organizations as Google, Amazon and Facebook.
CMU-Alert Test Friday, Jan. 18
A test of the university’s emergency notification service, CMU-Alert, will be conducted at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 18. In the event of an emergency, CMU-Alert sends voice or text messages to registered phones and emergency alert devices on campus. The messages provide brief details about the nature of the emergency and direct people to www.cmu.edu/alert for more information, instructions and updates.
All students are automatically registered to receive CMU-Alert messages, and faculty and staff are encouraged to sign-up for the service. Faculty and staff can register and update their information online at www.cmu.edu/alert by clicking on the “How can I sign up?” link. Students can update their information on the site. Users need their CMU username and password to log in.
All contact information is treated confidentially. Registered individuals will be contacted by the CMU-Alert system only if there is an incident or event that threatens public safety or during required periodical tests during the year. The tests are conducted to demonstrate and validate the functionality and reliability of this critical communications service.
Help Center To Continue Sunday Support Pilot Program
The Computing Services Help Center will continue a pilot program for both email and voicemail support on Sundays, from January 27 through the end of the spring semester. Help Center consultants will be available from 9 am to 5 pm to answer emails sent to it-help@cmu.edu, and voicemails left at 412-268-4357 (HELP).
“The pilot program follows a successful test last year,” said Tiffany Frank, senior manager of the Computing Services Help Center. “And, we’re adding voicemail support for urgent requests, so that university students, faculty and staff will have a same-day response to their computing needs on Sundays."
Visit the Computing Services Help and Support webpage for current hours, and the service board for real-time updates, 24/7.
Enjoy $6 Lunches for 6 Days at 16 Eateries During Oakland Restaurant Week
Sixteen eateries have teamed up to provide $6 lunches for six days, allowing patrons to save on lunch without compromising taste during Oakland Restaurant Week, Jan. 28-Feb. 2. Participants who take advantage of this deal also can enter to win free lunch for one month along with other great prizes from participating Oakland retail businesses. Participating restaurants are:
- CHiKN - 3712 Forbes Ave.
- Fuel & Fuddle - 212 Oakland Ave.
- Golden Palace Buffet - 3607 Forbes Ave.
- Hanami - 3608 Fifth Ave.
- Hello Bistro - 3605 Forbes Ave.
- Original Milano Pizza - 3606 Fifth Ave.
- Pamela's Diner - 3703 Forbes Ave.
- Pie Express - 148 Oakland Ave.
- Prince of India - 3614 Fifth Ave.
- Sciulli's Pizza - 3404 Fifth Ave.
- Sorrento's Pizza - 233 Atwood St.
- Stack'd Oakland - 3716 Forbes Ave
- Sushi Fuku - 120 Oakland Ave.
- The Garden Grille and Bar - 3454 Forbes Ave.
- Thirsty Scholar - 3610 Fifth Ave.
- Top Shabu-Shabu & Lounge - 114 Atwood St.
For more information regarding Oakland Restaurant Week, including the $6 menu options, visit www.OnlyinOakland.org. This event is funded by the Oakland Business Improvement District with additional support provided by Sustainable Pittsburgh.
Recognize and Nominate Your Exceptional Student Employees
Nominations are now being accepted through Feb. 17 for the Student Employee of the Year (SEOTY) Award sponsored by the Northeast Association of Student Employment Administrators (NEASEA) and the National Student Employment Association (NSEA). This is the 21st year that Carnegie Mellon is participating in this award program which recognizes the outstanding contributions of students who work on campus while attending college.
Acknowledge the work ethic and contributions of your exceptional student performers via an SEOTY nomination. Complete the nomination form, save as a PDF, and attach in an email to Pati Kravetz at pk13@andrew.cmu.edu.
Nominees will be judged on reliability, quality of work, initiative, attitude and contribution to the department. Students should have a track record of producing quality work and communicating effectively with students, staff, faculty and/or parents. All nominated student employees will be recognized and honored at the Student Employee Appreciation Lunch on April 2. Each department that nominates a student employee for the SEOTY will be eligible to win a free breakfast for up to 25 staff and students. The winning department will be announced at the SEOTY lunch.
Register for University Libraries' Spring Workshops
The University Libraries’ Spring 2019 Workshops are now open for registration. Workshops are available at no charge and are open to Carnegie Mellon faculty, staff and students. Seating is limited and registration is required. All workshops are held in the Den at Sorrells Library, located on the fourth floor of Wean Hall. Interested participants can view descriptions and register online for over 20 workshops, including Oral History 101, Introduction to Tableau, and Introduction to 3D Printing at http://library.cmu.edu/workshops.
Swartz Center Seeks Teams for Spring I-Corps Program
Looking to jumpstart your business idea? The Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship is recruiting teams for its spring 2019 NSF Innovation Corps (I-Corps) customer discovery training program. Teams are open to CMU faculty, staff, students and recent alumni and can be reimbursed up to $2,500 for eligible expenses to assist researchers in commercializing their technology. Further details on the program and eligibility can be found online. There have been 125 teams in the program since fall 2014 and they have received more than $31 million in additional funding for their ideas. The application deadline for teams is Jan. 28 at https://bit.ly/2S7t0Wu.
Register Your Children for Summer Gelfand Outreach Classes
The Gelfand Center is offering you the first chance to register your children for its upcoming Summer Gelfand Outreach Classes. The Summer Series Classes for K-9 students are STEM focused and highlight the research and work of Carnegie Mellon faculty and staff. They are developed by CMU faculty and staff to be fun, engaging, rigorous and hands-on. Classes are conducted June and July mornings and have an optional After Care program until 4 p.m. Registration is first-come, first-served. Spaces fill quickly so don’t delay. Register today!