Scott Heggen, a Ph.D. student in the College of Computing and Informatics, received a national Presidential Service Award presented by Citizen Schools.
Heggen is a graduate assistant in the Students in Technology, Academia, Research and Service (STARS) Computing Corps project. He developed a 10-week apprenticeship on mobile app development (MAD Science) designed to engage middle school students with science and technology through sensors in mobile phones. Through a partnership with Citizen Schools, Heggen has guided the development and facilitation of the MAD Science apprenticeship at Citizen Schools’ after-school program for five semesters and three summer camps through UNC Charlotte’s Camps on Campus program. He also serves as the STARS corps leader, where he directs multiple groups of STARS students in developing partnerships with their community and delivering computing concepts.
“The hours I've volunteered working with the kids at MLK Middle School have helped me understand the importance of service, especially in computer science,” said Heggen. “These kids will undoubtedly need computer science skills when they enter the workforce, and our education system simply isn't providing them with the right tools. By volunteering a few hours a week, I'm helping prepare these kids for the 21st century, which I know is time very well spent.”
The STARS Computing Corps comprises more than 40 colleges and universities in the United States that facilitate student-led regional engagement to grow a larger, more diverse, computing workforce. The corps has reached 46,000-plus K-12 students to ignite excitement in pursuing computing as a college major and career option. This engagement with younger students also results in college students who have stronger technical skills and broader leadership abilities.