About me
Dr. Ryan Torbey is a K-12 computer science education researcher. He currently works as an Evaluation Researcher at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), home of WeTeach_CS. He is an advocate for expanding computer science education in K-12 schools and believes that every student should learn the foundations of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and computer programming. In 2021, he was one of the inaugural winners of the Cognizant Foundation's Innovation in Computer Science Education Awards. Throughout the past decade, Dr. Torbey has advanced participation in computing as a K-8 technology teacher, professional development provider, consultant, and researcher. He spurred systemic change in Texas through his work as co-founder of CS4TX, a statewide initiative to expand computer science education (something he hopes to accomplish again for Virginia through the launch of CSforVA). Prior to joining TACC, Dr. Torbey served as the deputy director for the Center for Evolving Computer Science Education at American Institutes for Research and as the principal investigator for AI by 8 (NSF Grant # 2434579), a research practice partnership developing unplugged AI language arts instruction for early elementary learners.
