VIDEO: Heinrich Releases Video Promoting Computer Science Education Week, STEM Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, released the following video promoting "Hour of Code" events taking place across New Mexico during Computer Science Education Week that starts this year on December 4, 2017. 

The Hour of Code is a national initiative to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming, designed to demystify "code," to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. Schools and companies across New Mexico will be hosting and participating in Hour of Code events.

To mark Computer Science Education Week, Joint Economic Committee Democrats are highlighting the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and released a report today on how STEM strengthens the economy. 

The transcript of Senator Heinrich’s Computer Science Education Week video is below: 

Hi I’m Senator Martin Heinrich.

As one of the few people in Congress with a background in science and engineering, I know how important it is to learn computer science.

And as a father, I know that encouraging innovation doesn’t just mean my boys are spending their afternoons playing on tablets or smartphones.

By learning computer science, they’re learning how to design and build the next generation of technology and devices.

Every New Mexico student should learn how to code. Coding is becoming an increasingly important skill in the 21st century economy. Coders work in high-paying tech jobs, inventing new ideas and solving our most important problems.

And it’s fun to learn how to code!

Just ask any kid who has ever played Minecraft or learned to build their own website.

Kids who learn to code today will absolutely become the next generation of science and technology innovators.

I encourage each of you to have fun today and to get inspired to study hard in school.

If you learn how to code, there’s no limit what you can achieve.