Santa Cruz County students and families explored the creative side of technology last month during the fourth annual Computer Science Playgrounds. The events, held in honor of Computer Science Education Week, welcomed approximately 250 participants to engage with coding, robotics, and innovation.
Hands-On Learning Across the County
Hosted by the Pajaro Valley Unified School District and the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE), the “Powering Possibility” themed events took place Dec. 9 at Watsonville High School and Dec. 11 at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History.
Students in grades K–12 from across the county participated, representing:
Pajaro Valley Unified School District- Santa Cruz City Schools
- Scotts Valley Unified School District
- San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District
- Live Oak School District
- Pacific Elementary School District
- Mountain Elementary School District
- Local private schools
Exploring Real-World Career Pathways
Participants explored hands-on stations featuring game design, AI, cybersecurity, and data science. At one station, students experimented with digital art by intentionally “breaking” code to create unique patterns. Industry and community professionals also met with students to share real-world career pathways, from deconstructing hardware to building complex models.
“Computer Science Playgrounds show what’s possible when we bring community, industry, and education together around curiosity,” said Jason Borgen, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer. “When students are given space to explore, experiment, and connect with real people doing this work, they begin to see themselves as creators and problem-solvers.”
Commitment to Equity and Innovation
The program reflects the Santa Cruz COE’s commitment to building equity in education through its BRIDGES values. By providing inclusive spaces for exploration,
the county office continues to support pathways that help every learner thrive.
The success of this year’s events was supported by several partners, including Common Sense Media, Active Floor, Piper Computers, YETI, X Academy, Pie Fi, The Nucleus, Digital Nest, CDW, EKC, and CatapultCMS.
Learn more about Computer Science Education Week and future events on the Santa Cruz COE website.