Minnesota teachers who are interested in computer science are meeting online this coming weekend for the MNCodes Educator Summit.

Among the speakers is Andrea Wilson Vazquez, the state Department of Education’s computer science specialist. She was hired last year as part of the legislature’s efforts to build up computer science education in Minnesota.

The effort is much needed, according to a report published last year by the Code.org Advocacy Coalition. Minnesota ranked last in the nation in terms of computer science courses available to high school students. Just 28 percent of state high schools offered computer science courses, compared to about 57 percent nationally.

Andrea Wilson Vazquez joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about the state’s plans to expand those offerings.