MSU joins JROTC-CS project

About 545,000 high students who participate in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs in America don’t have access to advanced placement computer science classes, but a new public-private partnership, which includes Mississippi State University, is working to bridge the gap. MSU’s Department of Computer Science & Engineering has joined with computing non-profit CSforAll, AFJROTC HQ, and dozens of companies/organizations to launch JROTC-CS, a new program aimed at creating a scalable educational model for increasing computing education at the high school level. MSU is the only university currently involved in the program. The program will consist of activities and mentoring, including participation in CyberPatriot, an advanced placement class in computer science principles, a summer Cyber Academy, and links to cybersecurity professionals during the senior year through internships and other touchpoints. More than half of the 545,000 cadets are minority students; and 40 percent are female. CSforALL is providing leadership for the project with additional Consortium Members. More information is available on the CSforAll website. (Source MSU 05/05/20)