Computer Science Education Week

Computer Science Education Week is an annual week-long observance held during a week in December to recognize the importance of computer science education. It was established in 2009 through the efforts of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), the Computer Science Teachers Association, and other organizations seeking to raise the profile of computing in schools. The observance was created in part to honor the legacy of Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist and educator whose work helped shape modern programming and whose influence remains closely associated with the December observance.

In its early years, Computer Science Education Week focused on encouraging schools, teachers, universities, technology organizations, and community groups to provide greater access to computer science learning. Supporters emphasized that computer science involves more than using digital devices: it teaches problem-solving, logical reasoning, creativity, collaboration, and an understanding of how software and digital systems work. The week also drew attention to the limited availability of formal computer science courses, particularly in primary and secondary education.

The observance expanded significantly after the launch of the Hour of Code in 2013. Organized by Code.org with support from educators, businesses, and public figures, the Hour of Code invited students to try a short, introductory programming activity as part of Computer Science Education Week. This initiative helped make participation possible for schools and organizations with little previous experience in computer science instruction and turned the week into a widely recognized international education campaign. Over time, activities have grown to include classroom lessons, coding demonstrations, workshops, assemblies, teacher-training sessions, and online projects.

Culturally, Computer Science Education Week has become a way to promote digital literacy and broaden public understanding of who can participate in computing. It highlights the contributions of innovators from varied backgrounds while encouraging students who have historically been underrepresented in technology to see computer science as a field open to them. Although the observance centers on a particular week in December, its larger purpose extends beyond that period: to support sustained investment in computer science education and to help learners become informed creators—not only consumers—of technology.