The computer science program at LLCC hosted the Info Tech Expo 2023 yesterday at Kreher Agriculture Center.

The event provided students the opportunity to to learn more about the local IT industry and network with local employers and to explore different career paths in the field of computer science.

The 2023 Computer Science Program Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for today, April 13, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Bistro Verde located in the Workforce Careers Center on the Springfield campus.

This meeting is a vital opportunity for the computer science program to come together and with local employers to discuss the program’s progress and achievements, and to collaborate on future plans for computer science.

Program Advisory Committee (PAC)

Members are invited to serve on a PAC because of their knowledge, expertise and understanding in their area of specialization. We include individuals from local workforce development boards, local business and industry, government, military, college administration, faculty, staff, alumni, current students, secondary and transfer institutions.

Our ladder of industry engagement consists of new relationships, working relationships and strategic partnerships divided into levels indicating the state of relationship and activity examples.

Congratulations to 25 students in CSC 130 (IT Essentials) who recently completed the TestOut IT Fundamentals Pro industry standard certification, which is the equivalent to the CompTIA IT Fundamentals (FCO-U61).

This certification measures a student’s understanding of foundational concepts related to computer hardware and software, networking, databases, programming, information systems and data security.

This is one of eight certifications students are eligible to earn in the LLCC Mathematics and Computer Science Department.

“Outlandish machines” designed by area fifth graders will be on display as LLCC hosts the 16^th annual Springfield Area Fifth Grade Rube Goldberg Competition tomorrow, Feb. 25. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. in the student union in the lower level of Menard Hall on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. There is no admission fee, and the public is invited to attend.

This year’s competition involves building a Rube Goldberg that must “move a rocket to a launch pad” through at least 10 different steps.

A Rube Goldberg device, such as the board game “Mousetrap,” is an elaborate apparatus designed to complete a certain task through a number of complex steps. Area fifth graders are currently developing their own unique Rube Goldberg devices for this year’s competition. They receive assistance from engineer volunteers, coordinated by the area Engineer in the Classroom Board. The engineer volunteers visit classes and provide instruction on machines and engineering in general, along with suggestions for their Rube Goldberg device.

The purpose of this event is to introduce children to the idea of pursuing a career in engineering or related field. It is the only Rube Goldberg program in the nation specifically aimed at elementary age school children.

This year, 11 teams are participating from Dubois Elementary, Graham Elementary, Our Savior Lutheran, Rochester Intermediate, Springfield Christian and Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro.

Last year’s task entailed building a Rube Goldberg that would “flip a pancake.” Kimberly Tribler’s fifth grade class from Dubois Elementary School, with engineer volunteer Terry Fountain from Cummins Engineering, took home the top prize and advanced to the Engineering Open House at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where they earned first place.