SW Fourth-grader Meets Computer Challenge

HARTFORD/SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — A South Windsor fourth-grader's project was among 27 submissions honored by state officials Wednesday as part of the lieutenant governor's annual "Coding for Good" computing challenge.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz applauded the 27 projects, with this year’s theme being “Inspiring Health and Wellness for All.”

One of the pupils honored was South Windsor fourth-grader Gargi Singh of Pleasant Valley School.

Her project, which was included in the "Prototype Challenge" component of the program, was called "Is Your Food Healthy?"

Utilizing coding and computer design skills, Gargi created a website that featured tidbits of information, along with a 90-second film emphasizing the importance of eating well.

Overall, the challenge was made possible by the support and participation of various sponsors.

Selected students took part in the challenge through one of the three submission options, Concept, Prototype, or Development.

These students, representing 16 different districts across the state, were recognized at an in-person celebration hosted by one of the sponsors, the Infosys Foundation USA at the Infosys Digital Innovation Center in Hartford.

Bysiewicz, state Department of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker and Office of Higher Education Executive Director Tim Larson attended the recognition event, along with representatives of corporate and philanthropic sponsors.

The 2021-22 school year was the third successive year the computing challenge was held.

In 2022, there were more than 300 projects, emphasizing the creativity and ingenuity of Connecticut’s students.

One of the priorities of the Council on Women and Girls has been to inspire female students to develop an interest in technology through expanding STEM education among women and girls.

The council said out of the 27 recognized submissions, 17 were from women and girls or from teams that included women and girls.

"Exposing students to STEM fields by sparking their interest with interactive involvement has always been one of my main priorities, and a priority of the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls,” Bysiewicz said. "Each year, I have been fascinated by the different submissions, and different priorities of the students across our state."

“The continued success of the Lieutenant Governor’s Computing Challenge demonstrates the administration’s collective, cross-agency efforts to expand STEM and computer science pathways for our students, and to diversify the enrollment in these courses and programs,” said Russell-Tucker.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this effort aimed at igniting a spark in young women and students from underserved communities to learn more about coding and the many technological careers it can lead to,” said Larson.

To learn more about the Lt. Governor’s Computing Challenge, visit https://www.ltgovcc.org/.

To view South Windsor fourth-grader Gargi Singh's project, visit this link.