Empowering gifted students through the power of computer science
Non-profit organisation the National Students’ Academy (NMA) offers additional learning to gifted high school students from across Lithuania. Through distance learning, students can take advanced lessons in nine specialist areas, while summer and winter sessions give them the chance to connect with other like-minded young people.
An ongoing partnership with Google is helping NMA to introduce the power of computer science to even more students. “Learning to program is very important,” says NMA student Vaiva Augustinaitė. “It makes you more competitive, you can bring your ideas to life and it’s easier to find a job.” The partnership is also tackling the societal stereotypes that can prevent girls from pursuing computer science as a field of study. With Google's support, NMA has been able to increase the number of females participating in its computer science summer sessions by offering tuition support to promising students. “I believe this programme is important for girls, who tend to be afraid of trying computer science due to the stereotypes,” says NMA student Giedrė Krotovaitė. Leonas Narkevičius, NMA’s Director, adds that, “the programme helps prove to both the girls themselves, and to society, that computer science is not just for men.” NMA’s alumni include multiple Lithuanian Olympiad winners and medallists from international competitions, and many are now in important computer science roles.
Through its partnership with Google, NMA will continue to encourage girls to take up computer science, while also offering advanced learning opportunities to students from every part of Lithuania. “We are always looking for ways to improve the quality of our teaching. Partnering with a company such as Google, which has a lot of experience and knowledge, is very useful for us,” says Leonas.
The programme with Google helps prove to both the girls themselves, and to society, that computer science is not just for men.