Standing ovation at the 13th edition of the Swiss Day for Computer Science Education
Under the leadership of Professor Dennis Komm, the 13th Swiss Day for Computer Science Education (STIU) took place at ETH Zurich on 12 June 2024. The event, organised annually by the Centre for Computer Science Education (ABZ), provides a platform for computer science, mathematics, and physics teachers as well as primary school teachers to exchange ideas with researchers. It aims to inspire and introduce exciting teaching concepts for computer science.
This year's conference motto "Grundlagen(fach) Informatik" was reflected in a large number of workshops for teachers at all levels. ETH Rector Günter Dissertori addressed the topic in his speech. He emphasised that future first-year students will be better equipped with prior knowledge thanks to the introduction of computer science as a core subject at Swiss baccalaureate schools. This is an important milestone, as computational competencies such as algorithmic thinking, programming, data analysis and data-based modelling are essential in all disciplines today.
Rector Dissertori thanked the teachers in attendance for their dedicated work, which contributes to educating responsible citizens and making Switzerland fit for the future.
Standing ovation for outstanding contributions
This year's recipients of the ABZ Medals of Honour for contributions to computer science education are Dr. Nadine Fröhlich, Project Manager of PrimaLogo at the University of Basel, Zsuzsa Pluhár from ELTE Informatikai Kar in Hungary, and Volketswil School.
The Swiss Olympiad in Informatics (SOI) Medal of Honour was awarded to Johannes Kapfhammer for his commitment to the SOI for over a decade. This commitment included his roles as a participant, SOI President, and President of the Association of all Swiss Science Olympiads.
Professor Tim Bell from New Zealand, known as the inventor of "Computer Science Unplugged", was honoured with the Rector's STEM Award for his outstanding services to computer science education.
“We are all allies on the path to educating responsible citizens and making Switzerland fit for the future.”Günther Dissertori, ETH Rector
Finally, Professor emeritus Walter Gander was called to the stage and honoured with a standing ovation for his tireless commitment to computer science in schools. In his laudatory speech, Dennis Komm emphasised that Walter Gander, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, is still as active and committed as ever and makes his knowledge available for teaching materials and teacher training courses. Gander himself commented: "I am 80 years old. I've been programming for 60 years now and I still love it!"
Happy faces at the Informatik-Biber final
There was great joy at the final of the Informatik-Biber competition, for which 80 out of more than 46,000 pupils from across five class levels qualified. Among them were five "repeat offenders" who made it to the final round for the second or even third time. Worldwide, 4 million children in over 70 countries take part in the Informatik-Biber. The winners of the Swiss edition were announced and honoured during the STIU.
