Blackhawk students demo EMS project as district expands AP computer science with grant

Mr. Ford, the high school representative, opened the administration update with student recognition and programming news and introduced an AP computer science demonstration funded by a curriculum grant. "For the second year, Blackhawk High School is blessed to have a student involved in the, National American Scholarship process," Ford said, and then turned the floor over to the class teacher and students to present.

AP computer science teacher Mr. Moll described the class as an introductory, hands-on course that emphasizes pair programming and applied robotics. "Students are learning how to code and program, learning basic fundamentals of computer science, and then applying it to more real world examples," Moll said. He said the grant provided classroom equipment and ongoing free access to curriculum and a practitioner community; the training element ran for one year but curriculum access will continue.

Student presenter Tyler demonstrated an EMS-station simulation his team built, explaining how motion sensors trigger a door and flashing lights to warn drivers. "Overall, with all the code included, it took me and [a partner] about 3 to 4 days of getting all set up," Tyler said. Board members praised the work and noted its workforce-readiness value: one director who said he had worked in manufacturing called the project "future employment."

In follow-up discussion, Moll identified grant partners as the International Technology and Engineering Association with St. Cloud State University and NC State listed as facilitators. He said the grant-funded equipment remains district property and that the curriculum will be accessible to teachers after the initial training window.

What happens next: the board heard the classroom demonstration as part of administrators' updates; no formal vote was required. The district said it hopes to expand participation in the class to younger students over time.