Computer science classroom C161 has a new look this school year. Over the summer, C161 received technology updates as well as a complete redesign to the interior of the room.

The new advancements to this room include new floor and wall designs and new additions of tables, chairs and even couches in the middle of the classroom. Not only does this room have a completely new interior design, but it’s new software makes C161 one of the most technologically advanced classrooms at DGS.

This computer based classroom has new MacBooks, Apple TVs and flat screen TVs that computer science students use on a daily basis.

DGS senior Edwin Siuda, who is a current AP computer science student, is in C161 every day during 5th period and is hands on with the new updates in the room.

“I’m in AP computer science, so most of the time when we are in there we are sitting on the couches that are in the room,” Siuda said.

The room gives students a robust working environment where they feel comfortable. The man responsible for giving C161 its new look is Doug Plunkett.

Plunkett is the computer science teacher in C161, who is constantly working in this newly designed room with new technology everyday.

“We’ve got more space to kind of move around and collaborate, work together. It’s nice to be able to have the Apple TV’s so groups can see stuff up there instead of just trying to stare at a small laptop screen,” Plunkett said.

The new and improved computer science room was an idea that was thought out by Plunkett and other CTE staff. They wanted to design a room that was going to be beneficial to the learning of the students as well as be aesthetically pleasing.  

“We went and visited a bunch of other schools that also teach programming and we just picked ideas from those other schools like Prospect High School, Buffalo Grove, Rolling Meadows and a couple others,” Plunkett said.

These teachers were able to create the room that they envisioned with success. They believe that the new classroom reflects the workspace of someone who has a job in computer science, making this room one that is beneficial for computer science students.

Teachers speak highly of this room, but it’s the students that will or will not be gaining the value that all the new advancements have to offer.

“It’s nice to sit on the couches because then it doesn’t feel as much like a classroom and it’s more like a workspace where you can feel comfortable instead of being uncomfortable while you are working,” Siuda said.

Students are given the chance to experience what a typical workspace of an employee in the computer science field is like, helping launch computer science students into what life is like in the world of computer programming.