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Four William Paterson University students took their coding skills to Europe this summer, thanks to a grant from the University’s ASPIRE (Access to STEM Pathways through Integrated Research and Engagement) program.
The students – Odivis Cepeda-Jimenez, computer science; Aaron Aragones, mathematics; Angie Ortega, biology pre-medical; and Jiwoo Choi, secondary education and mathematics – spent nine days in Prague, Czech Republic to attend the annual EuroPython conference, a premier international conference of its kind. The event brings together developers, data scientists, educators, researchers, and companies who use or contribute to Python, one of the most widely used programming languages in the world.
“At this point in time, coding is an essential skill for all students and for anyone entering the job market. Python is the current language to know,” says WP mathematics professor David Nacin, who led the trip.
During the conference, William Paterson students were able to work one-on-one with experts in beginner-friendly sessions and received valuable advice on pursuing careers in STEM fields. “Beyond the technical learning, they were exposed to new cultural experiences and had the chance to network with coders from around the globe,” Professor Nacin explains.
For the students, the trip was transformative both academically and personally.
“The experience reaffirmed my goal of becoming a high school math teacher, but it also sparked a new interest: incorporating Python into math education,” says Choi, a senior. “I want to show students that math and technology are deeply connected and that both can be exciting and relevant to their future careers.”
“Traveling abroad for research or conferences isn’t just about academics. I learned through this experience that it is mostly about personal growth and seeing your field from a global perspective,” she continues.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, William Paterson University’s ASPIRE program aims to ensure more students not only enter in-demand STEM fields but also thrive there. ASPIRE provides holistic support to STEM majors from admission to graduation, with a focus on experiential learning that includes on-campus lab work, internships, and job shadowing, as well as mentorship, professional development, and overall community building.
