Students to Showcase Innovations at Country Roads Codes Day
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On Monday, December 8th, 2025, at 10:30 AM, the West Virginia Department of Education will host the third annual Country Roads Codes Day in the Upper Rotunda of the State Capitol.
Students from 12 distinct schools are set to present their computer science and engineering projects to members of the West Virginia Legislature and the public.
This highly anticipated event coincides with the December interim meetings of the West Virginia Legislature.
Country Roads Codes provides a vital platform where students can exhibit student-driven robotics demonstrations, unveil innovations in artificial intelligence, and deliver coding presentations to lawmakers and community members at large.
We have designed this event to allow students to engage with our state leaders and share how they apply classroom learning in practical ways. To watch young students code, build, and display their projects and then confidently explain them to our legislators is impressive.
The critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills that computer science instruction provides our students could not be better represented than what we see at the event.
I am grateful for the teachers across the Mountain State who have realized the potential of their students and are fostering a love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.
According to the 2024 State of Computer Science Education report, West Virginia is ranked 15th nationally in terms of the availability of computer science courses for high school students.
Remarkably, 78% of the state’s high school learners currently have access to computer science instruction.
Furthermore, West Virginia was one of the first states, following California and Oregon, to release official guidelines regarding the utilization of AI in K-12 classrooms.
The recently passed House Bill 2411 (2025) mandates that computer science will be a graduation requirement beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year.
This event is organized in collaboration with West Virginia University’s CodeWV initiative, which plays a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of digital creators through expanded computer science and AI learning opportunities.
Participating Schools:
- Moorefield High School, Hardy County
- Cross Lanes Elementary School, Kanawha County
- Lincoln County High School, Lincoln County
- McDowell County Career and Technology Center, McDowell County
- Mercer County Technical Education Center, Mercer County
- Mylan Park Elementary School, Monongalia County
- Westwood Middle School
- Teays Valley Christian School, Putnam County
- Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary School, Raleigh County
- Ridgeview Elementary School
- Shady Spring Elementary School
- Hacker Valley Elementary School, Webster County
Notable speakers at the event will include State Superintendent Michele L. Blatt, West Virginia Senate President Randy Smith, and West Virginia House Speaker Roger Hanshaw.
Source link: Wvva.com.
