Computer programming made easy topic of Science on Tap presentation
Monday, October 24, 2016 
by: Rene Abadie
HAMMOND – Understanding the basics of computer programming will be the focus of the
next Science on Tap lecture presented by Southeastern Louisiana University’s Department
of Biological Sciences on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science John Burris is the featured speaker at
the presentation scheduled at 7 p.m. at Tope La Catering, 113 East Thomas St. in Hammond.
The lecture – titled “From Zero to Code: Modern Programming Made Easy – is free and
open to all ages. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
“Steve Jobs once said that everyone in this country should learn how to code
because it teaches us to think,” said Burris, who serves as undergraduate coordinator
for the university’s computer science program.
Burris said he will examine the topic from three angles, including his personal
experience with his daughter who is learning to code in fifth grade, by showing some
of her work and how it relates to topics in the Common Core Curriculum standards.
“We will also look at the state of both industry and education as it integrates
technology,” he said. “We will discuss how these changes affect the relevance of an
education that doesn’t include a background in programming.”
Burris will also show a project developed at Southeastern that helps introduce
students to programming concepts.
“Anyone attending with a mobile phone will be able to join in as we go ‘From
Zero to Code’ together,” he added.
For information on future Science on Tap presentations, contact the Department
of Biological Sciences at 985-549-3740.
