UB to Host College Computing Fair for Students Interested in Computer Science

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Western New York chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) will hold a College Computing Fair on May 2 from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 145 in the Student Union on the University at Buffalo North (Amherst) Campus.

The event is free and open to parents, students, teachers and high school counselors who want to learn more about college options in the field of computing in the Western New York area. Parking is free in the Furnas lot and other lots on campus.

The fair will showcase the breadth of the field of computing and highlight the different possibilities for studying in the field. Representatives and faculty members from local colleges will be available to discuss various degree options and opportunities offered within computer science and related computing disciplines. Multiple departments from some schools also will be present to showcase the diversity of their programs and degree options. The event will conclude with a keynote presentation, "Challenges and Opportunities in Computing" by Rohini Srihari, associate professor in the University at Buffalo's Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

According to UB teaching associate professor of computer science and engineering Carl Alphonce, president of the local CSTA, the chapter's mission is to promote computing as a discipline and a career option to K-16 students in Western New York, with a special emphasis in increasing the diversity of the student body participating in computing.

The local CSTA chapter was formed by faculty from the computer science departments at UB, Niagara County Community College, Canisius College and Saint Bonaventure University, as well as Ellicottville Central School's business department.

The Western New York CSTA chapter is the second in the nation. The CSTA is a national organization designed to promote computing in all levels of education, K-12 and beyond, by bringing together interested parties from all sides to improve the state of teaching and learning in the computing disciplines.

For additional information, visit http://www.buffalo.edu/~djmurray/CSTA or contact the chapter by e-mail at csta.wny@gmail.com.