Computer Science Teacher Profile: Joel Hayano

Joel Hayano teaches computer science in Powell, WY. In his high school classes, students can follow multiple paths into programming. In our conversation, Joel shares what Powell High School offers students, the connections between technology and trades, and his hopes for computer science in the future.

What Computer Science Classes Look like at Powell Middle School

I teach three different Computer Science classes. We have Computer Science 1, our introductory programming class which uses Small Basic. I also teach Web Development 1, an intro to web design where students learn HTML and CSS while building web pages. Lastly, I teach Robotics 1, using Lego NXT and programming in Robot C.

Students Today are in the Technology Age

I truly believe computer science will be what the students in the future will be doing. Either our students will be programming, updating, creating, maintaining or developing technology.

I was raised at the end of the space race. Math was the most important thing. Then, in high school, it was the construction age, engineering was everything. I think our kids will be in the middle of the technology age. The more familiar and comfortable they are with how technology works (not how to use it) the better off they will be.

Connection between Industry and Computer Science for Rural Students

Although I don’t think it should be different for a kid from Powell (pop. 6,300) compared to Casper (pop. 55,000), I do think think industrial technology will be important.

Instead of just learning how to weld, students will need to know how technology will change how they weld. Agriculture, construction all these areas will be affected by technology.

It will be important that our rural students understand this and how it will affect the decisions they make for after high school.

I think it gives them a heads up on what is happening to their farming/ranching fields. The integration of technology in how to plant/water/grow fields, the use of GPS to increase yields, using technology and science to modify seed, all these things go into farming and ranching.

Understanding this technology or the use of it, puts our students ahead of the game. It, hopefully, will give them more opportunities in college.

In the next 5 years…

My hope is that all students are exposed to computer science is some form or another.

Whether it’s programming, robotics, web development or some other CS class, just the exposure will help students so they can see what is going on in the current world and what will most likely be going in their future world.