Washington Heights Armory Hosts High School Tech Fair

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — More than 2,000 New York City high school students attended the 2018 NYC Computer Science Opportunity Fair Wednesday in the Washington Heights armory, making the fair the largest of its kind in the city.

Students who attended the fair received information about computer science career opportunities, took part in hands-on actives and visited 65 booths representing companies, colleges and extracurricular programs, fair organizers said.

"The CS Fair is a great opportunity for students from every background to get exposure to the tech companies and jobs that will shape the future," Fred Wilson, founder of the NYC Foundation for Computer Science Education, said in a statement. "This year’s CS Fair was the biggest we’ve ever seen, with more students and sponsors than ever before, showing how much enthusiasm there is for computer science and STEM in New York."

Students representing Tottenville High School in Staten Island, Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria, Information Technology High School in Queens, Brooklyn Tech, Collegiate Institute for Math and Science in the Bronx and Urban Assembly Maker Academy in Manhattan participated in a "student showcase" and pitched their ideas to computer science industry veterans.

The student teams won awards such as best presentation, most complex, greatest social impact and greatest technical challenge.

"Not only is the CS Fair a great resource for students, it’s also a clear sign that New York businesses, nonprofits, and government officials recognize how important it is to support the next generation of tech talent," Julie Samuels, executive director of Tech:NYC, said in a statement. "Teaching students the skills they need to succeed in high-growth industries is key to our economic future, and it’s an encouraging sign that this event attracts more students, schools, and sponsors each year."

Photos courtesy Tech:NYC