K-12 Programs

K-12 Programs

This is a list of Allen School community associated programs, for a fuller extent of UW's Youth Programs, check the Youth Programs Database for even more opportunities!

Allen School Ambassadors

Year-long, with reduced programming during Summer

Allen School Ambassadors are current University of Washington (UW) Seattle students studying Computer Science or Computer Engineering. They conduct outreach to high school students, both on the UW campus and through school and community visits, especially focusing on students from underrepresented backgrounds and students without computing experience.

Aspirations in Computing Award - NCWIT Seattle & Western Washington Affiliate

Application season is each fall, the Western Washington award event is each spring

The Award for AiC honors 9th - 12th grade (as well as categories for collegiate level and educators) women, genderqueer, and non-binary students for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions.

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) changes what’s possible for women in technology from K-12 through career by offering the kind of encouragement that combats isolation, enables long-term persistence, opens doors, and changes lives. AiC uses program elements that spark interest in computing (AspireIT); recognizes and celebrates women’s technical aspirations and abilities, as well as the educators who support them (AiC Award Recognitions); and, provides an expansive, supportive network (AiC Community).

To contact the Western Washington Affiliate committee email westernwa-affiliate@aspirations.org

CS Education Week Events

Every year, the Allen School observes Computer Science Education Week, an initiative led by CSEdweek.org to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. Join UW Seattle - CS Education week 2024! December 2nd though 6th (for virtual events) and December 7th for our Allen School Open House (in-person) *Note that this year, the Allen School is celebrating CS Ed week early due to academic schedule.

Summer Opportunities

This is a list of Allen School community associated programs, for a fuller extent of UW's Summer Programs, check the Youth Programs Database for even more opportunities!

Changemakers in Computing (CIC)

Changemakers in Computing (CIC) is a 4-week free summer program for Washington State high school students to learn about technology, society, and justice. Hosted by the University of Washington’s Allen School, CIC aims to increase the participation of underrepresented, economically disadvantaged, and/or future first-generation college students in computer science and engineering. The program is open to all rising juniors and seniors at Washington State high schools.

High School Summer Research

The Allen School has several labs that host high school interns over the summer. Please check this page again in February for updates!

Enroll in an Allen School Summer Course

U.S. high school students can earn college credit by taking courses at the University of Washington during Summer Sessions! To be eligible, you must have completed eighth grade or its equivalent by June 30, 2024. You can find the list of Allen School summer courses on our CSE Time Schedules page. To register for Summer Sessions as a high school student at the Seattle campus, follow the steps on the Summer Sessions page.

Information Sessions for Prospective CS Majors

The Allen School offers an information session for prospective high school students on the first Friday of every month from 3:30PM - 4:30PM PT. You can find our information session details on our information sessions page.

Meet an Allen School Student

Meet with an Allen School Ambassador; as the main point of contact for high school students interested in applying to the Allen School, any prospective high school students can set-up an appointment to meet with an Allen School ambassador.  

Schedule Appointment

Running Start Appointments

High school students who are dual enrolled at a Washington State Community College as a Running Start student can also schedule a virtual appointment via zoom with our Diversity & Access team Recruiter.

Schedule a Running Start virtual appointment

UW in the High School

At-a-Glance

"Since 1981, through UW in the High School (UWHS), the University of Washington has partnered with high schools across Washington state to offer UW courses for UW credit in the high school classroom. Courses are official UW courses, taught by the high school’s own teachers, who have been approved and trained by UW faculty. Each year, more than 100 schools in Washington participate in UWHS.

UWHS is what’s known as a dual credit or concurrent enrollment program. In a dual credit program, students can earn high school and college credit at the same time. Along with Running Start and Advanced Placement (AP), UWHS is one of several dual credit options available to high school students. In Washington state, programs that allow students to earn dual credit on their high school campus by taking official college courses are called College in the High School programs."

Please visit this link to learn more about what makes UW in the High School a unique and compelling opportunity for students and educators.

How Does the Allen School Participate?

As part of our participation with UW in the High School, Allen School faculty and instructional staff have built a catalog of resources that are available to our partner high school teachers that offer help in structuring their courses in the vein of the Intro CSE courses offered at the University of Washington. We provide information about how to leverage our assignments, exams, solutions, in-class labs and worksheets, and support technology that allows students to complete practice problems and instructors to grade homework submissions.

Currently offering: 121, 122, 163, 180

Considering offering: 110

**Please note that portions of this catalog of resources are password protected and only available to teachers following official acceptance into the UWHS program.

How Do I Participate?

Students & Parents

If you are a student or the parent of a student who is wishing to enroll in a UWHS course, please be sure to visit this page to get started.

School & Teachers

If you are a school or teacher school wishing to know more about the application process for becoming an official part of UWHS, please be sure to visit this page to get started.

(Quoted information on this page taken from UW in the High School homepage)

Contact Us

General inquiries and requests can be sent to outreach@cs.washington.edu

Hosting a K-12 Event at the Allen School

If you're an Allen School community member interested in hosting your own K-12 event, please visit this page to learn about UW requirements for youth programs.

If you would like a program listed on this page, please email outreach@cs.uw.edu.