Biniam Gebregziabher: Teaching All Students to Code

Biniam Gebregziabher, a graduate of the MS in Computer Science program at MIU, is passionate about teaching kids how to code. He runs an educational program for young students in the Washington, D.C., area, teaching them about computer programming and digital technology and helping them excel in their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills.

Ethiopian students learning the basics of coding

Biniam studied math and computer science in Ethiopia and came to MIU in 2010. He heard about the Computer Professionals program from friends and was interested in higher education as well as finding a job with a US company. He enjoyed the healthy diet and lifestyle on campus and was impressed by the knowledgeable professors. “The TM technique was really great and an interesting concept too,” he said. “It just creates peace and less stress in your mind, which in turn makes you use your full potential. It’s something that everyone has to experience.”

Biniam is currently working as a senior software engineer at Lockheed Martin, a global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company. In his free time, he heads All Students Code, which offers computer programming classes to students ages 7-18 in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. He is also reaching out to the local Ethiopian community and offers special classes for students with a language barrier.

His vision is that every student in every school will have the opportunity to learn computer programming and digital technology. He believes that learning to code can foster creativity and critical thinking.

“It is hard to solve 21st-century problems with a 20th-century education system and thinking,” said Biniam, “So I started All Students Code not only to teach students about coding, but also creative thinking and algorithmic thinking, where they can solve a problem by breaking it down into its small parts.”

In addition to computer skills and innovative thinking, Biniam hopes to bestow many other benefits, including reinforcing math skills, improving confidence, providing school and jobs skills, increasing computer productivity, and developing an interest in STEM learning.