Sofía De Jesús - Applied Computational Thinking with Python

Design algorithmic solutions for complex and challenging real-world problems

Sofa De Jess

Dayrene Martinez

BIRMINGHAMMUMBAI

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First published: November 2020

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To my parents, Elia and Miguel, and to my siblings, Rebeca, Graciela, and Miguelito, without whom I wouldn't be who I am or have been able to have the experiences that got me here. I love you all. And to Kristen McKeen, Will Murchison, Teresa Caro, and Joel Socarrs, friends without whom I couldn't survive this life.

- Sofa De Jess

To my loving mother, Xiomara Garcia, for the everlasting support and love, and to my siblings, Karlyn and Junior Martinez, for being great role modelsyou guys inspire me every day. And to Samantha Tolentino Benitez, Noemi Reyes, Rosemary Vergara, Pedro Peralta, Charles Ozuna, and Gabriel Alatorre for being the best listeners when I needed it most. I am grateful for all of you.

- Dayrene Martinez

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Sofa De Jess is a computational thinking teacher with a degree from the University of Puerto Rico with a focus on math. She has a master's degree from the University of Dayton. Her experience in education and development spans two decades. She has worked with clients to develop solutions in multiple programming languages. As a teacher, Sofa helps students incorporate the philosophy of computational thinking in courses such as game design, circuits, Python, web design, and robotics. She likes to play video games and spend time with her 11 year-old Yorkie, King Kong. Sofa also enjoys creating materials, small furniture, and jewelry using CNC machines and laser cutters. She enjoys spending as much time in Puerto Rico as work and life permits.

I started this book before the world changed in 2020. If it wasn't for my family, my co-author, Dayrene, Gregg Moses, Emily Joyce, Princess Harrison, Brooke Marcy, and so many others who stepped up and held me up, this book would not have been possible. Thank you.

Dayrene Martinez is a systems engineer in the defense industry where she develops neural networks embedded in real-time software to aid in decision making for aerospace vehicles. She received a B.S. in electrical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Dayrene is passionate about STEM education and spends her free time in a voluntary capacity inspiring the next generation of engineers. She is an active supporter and keynote speaker for the non-profit organization Latinas in STEM. She teaches circuitry, robotic design, and software engineering to middle and high school students.

I would like to thank my co-author, Sofa, for helping me accomplish one of my lifetime goalspublishing a book. I would also like to thank Colin Pouchet and Scott Terhorst for your encouragement and guidance at work. I would also like to thank Greg Wagner, my boss, for stimulating my interest in machine learning by giving me challenging work, and Jaz Carvajal, without whom I would not even be an engineer. Thank you for being the best and most supportive mentor.

Dr. Gowrishankar S. is currently working as associate professor in the department of computer science and engineering at the Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. His current research interests are mainly focused on data science, including its technical aspects, as well as its applications and implications. Specifically, he is interested in the applications of machine learning, data mining, and big data analytics in healthcare.

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