Somerville Public Schools has received a $41,035 grant for the Digital Literacy and Computer Science program.

By Harry Kane

The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded Somerville Public Schools a $41,035 grant for the Digital Literacy and Computer Science program on July 1 to expand the learning experiences for students following the 2024 Massachusetts STEM Summit on May 15.

This is the second installment of a phased 3-year Computer Science (CS) Engagement Grant that was awarded to SPS, according to a press release on August 13 from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

“Digital literacy and computer science skills are important for all students, and grants like this help increase access and participation,” said Governor Maura Healey. “I look forward to seeing the opportunities that these districts will create for their students.”

The theme at the STEM Summit focused on the evolving computer science education and workforce landscape. This year the Somerville team is focused on growing the DLCS programming for students in grades 6-8.

In Massachusetts, DLCS instruction includes the areas of computing and society, digital tools and collaboration, computing systems and computational thinking.

A DLCS pilot program for all students in grades 6-8 will take place at the Arthur D. Healey School (K-8) this year. This course will be taught by the school’s K-8 Library Media Specialist, according to Jackie Piques, Chief Communications and Development Officer at Somerville Public Schools.

The Healey School focuses on arts integration, with an emphasis on thematic, project-based learning, designed to engage children’s interests.

In regard to the pilot program, three SPS educators attended a week-long curriculum seminar to help prepare for DLCS programming in their classrooms this year.

Materials purchased include educational hardware such as circuit playgrounds and micro:bits, which can help bring computing to life in the physical realm with artistic, musical and robotic applications.

“This is such an exciting time for computer science in Somerville Public Schools,” said Laura Peters, SPS Math Teacher. “The grant supported our team in creating and expanding DLCS learning experiences for students in 6-8, with the ultimate goal that every student in SPS has an opportunity to see themselves as computational creators.”

The initial round of Computer Science (CS) Engage Grant funding for SPS was $14,421 in October 2023 for the implementation of the K-12 DLCS programming. They received an amendment to that grant in March 2024, according to Jacqueline Reis, Communications Director at DESE. The total amount received was $21,579.

The second allocation of grant money for SPS – the $41,035 – was part of a $265,025 award to nine school districts for DLCS education in public schools for either grades 3-5 or grades 6-8.

The grant is intended to be a 3-year grant, providing public school districts like Somerville’s with the support and funding to develop and implement a DLCS Implementation plan, according to DESE.

“Our incredible team of educators and administrators are making great strides in an effort to bring more high-quality educational opportunities for all students to explore topics in computer science,” said Jason Behrens, SPS Innovation Specialist. “It feels like we’ve just reached the starting line and we can’t wait to get more students and staff involved in the planning and implementation stages as we scale this fabulous initiative.”

The grant supports the creation of new programs, such as the pilot program at the Healey School and/or expansion of existing programs to serve more students who are the most underserved, according to DESE.

The education department described the grant as a potential way of creating new opportunities for students designated as economically disadvantaged, English language learners, special education, underrepresented minorities, underrepresented females, and those living in rural areas.

The average computer science salary in Massachusetts is $82,123 per year. The City of Somerville pays an average of $92,442 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.

The average salary for a job with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Somerville is $125,555, according to Salary.com.

Up until this year, all official DLCS course opportunities were offered at the Somerville High School through the mathematics department. At the high school there are now six DLCS courses, including a new Art, AI and Robotics class for the fall semester.