There NSI specialty Digital Technology and Computer Science now occupies a central place in the French educational landscape. In high school, this scientific specialization is attracting more and more students who want to understand digital systems, algorithms, computer data, and the technologies on which our society is based.
At the time when artificial intelligencecybersecurity, programming As software engineering transforms the world, the NSI (Digital Sciences and Technology) specialty plays a crucial role: it trains the future players in the digital world and develops a scientific and technical culture now indispensable, whether students pursue their studies in mathematics, computer science, science, engineering or other fields.
On the occasion of the Digital and Computer Science WeekWe wish to celebrate this specialty and those who keep it alive: NSI teachers committed, passionate, and often pioneers in their institutions.
NSI : A specialty that opens doors
Offered in first and final year classesThe NSI (Digital Sciences and Technology) specialization is one of the specializations most closely linked to digital professions. It allows students to discover many fundamental concepts :
- there programming (often in Python),
- L'algorithmic and logic,
- THE data structures (lists, trees, piles),
- THE computer systems,
- the hardware and software architecture of a computer,
- the functioning of networks and the Internet,
- databases and information modeling,
- the resolution of problems concrete projects.
These concepts are an integral part of the official program of NSI and are worked on using courseexercises, tutorials, practical sessions, interdisciplinary projects and sometimespractical tests.
The NSI specialization doesn't just teach you how to code: it aims to understand Why The technologies work, how data flows, and how systems are designed. For many students, choosing the NSI (Digital Sciences and Technology) specialization in high school is ideal preparation for the baccalaureate exam, but also for their future studies. higher education in computer science, science, engineering, mathematics or digital technologies.
The NSI (Digital Sciences and Technology) specialization opens up numerous career opportunities, whether through preparatory classes, a two-year technical degree (BUT/BTS), a bachelor's degree, or an engineering school, and provides access to careers in computer science, cybersecurity, development, or systems and networks. To learn more: https://www.letudiant.fr/lycee/specialites-bac-general/article/orientation-post-bac-que-faire-apres-la-specialite-nsi.html
A specialty championed by passionate teachers
Behind the success of the NSI specialty are teachers, sometimes mathematics, physics-chemistry or technology teachers, who have chosen to broaden their skills to teach computer science in high school.
We spoke with two NSI teachers with different backgrounds but driven by the same passion.
One of them, a teacher since 1995, went back to school to study computer science and obtain a master's degree, and now teaches today. exclusively computer science : Digital Science and Technology (SNT), Computer Science and algorithms. To promote autonomy, he designed his own educational resources: lectures, exercises, practical workPDF files, answer keys, and a website compiling all the concepts of the curriculum. He also established a highly valued learning routine: “Today’s code”a short algorithmic exercise to start each class, supported by its web app Exopydesigned for both high school and middle school.
For his part, Fabien RocaA former Physics and Chemistry teacher turned NSI specialist, he recounts a passion that began very early, from the MO5 computers of his primary school to the first Turbo Pascal programs. Self-taught and later formally trained at university, he contributes to an academic circle dedicated to the NSI specialization. In his classes, he develops concrete activities, centered on projects, challenges, and practical situations that allow students to deeply understand the concepts of the curriculum.
Varied teaching practices, focused on autonomy
The two teachers emphasize a key aspect of the NSI (Digital Sciences and Technology) specialization: Computer science cannot be taught in a lecture-based way..
To master algorithms, computer systems, databases, or programming languages, students need to practice. Therefore, in their classes, they work regularly through:
- of the TP problem-solving oriented,
- of the long-term projects, often interdisciplinary,
- of the algorithmic challenges,
- national competitions: Night of the Code, Night of Information, Pass your hack first,
- practical activities in FabLab and web projects.
Heterogeneity is one of the major challenges of the NSI specialization. Some students arrive with extensive experience in Python or algorithms, while others are discovering the basics of computer science.
To address this, Fabien Roca proposes... additional challengesFrom more complex problems or advanced algorithms to those who progress quickly. This approach helps maintain engagement, encourages digital creativity, and introduces concepts outside the curriculum that enrich the learning experience.
The issue of diversity: a major challenge for the NSI specialization
The two teachers interviewed made the same observation: the diversity in the NSI specialty remains a challenge.
In 2019, one of them had a final year class composed of 50 % girlsHowever, by 2025, it no longer has any.
Fabien Roca, for his part, had a year with 25 boys and no girls in NSI, even though his school now has 23 girls in Première.
According to them, several obstacles remain:
- deeply ingrained stereotypes ("IT is a guy thing"),
- a lack of exposure to creative activities,
- an image still too often associated with the “geek” or the gamer,
- the disappearance of teachings such as ICN (Computer Science and Digital Creation), which attracted more girls.
To take action, Fabien created NumeriGirlsA day that brings together female digital professionals, offering workshops, challenges, career presentations, and hands-on activities. An inspiring model to encourage girls from middle school to high school to choose the NSI (Digital Sciences and Technology) specialization and to pursue scientific studies. The second edition of the event will be held on March 12, 2026.
Teachers who are also innovating thanks to digital technology
While some teachers create their own teaching tools, many also use platforms like Vittascience, cited by both testimonies.
For one, Vittascience is a useful resource for colleagues who do not have time to develop their own environments.
Pour l’autre enseignant, la plateforme est utilisée dans plusieurs contextes :
- Python activities
- IA en SNT (analyse d’images, textes),
- web projects
- Introduction to robotics,
- managing heterogeneity in autonomous activities.
A prime example is the project “Treasure Mission & Robots“This project, conceived by Fabien's students during their third week of the NSI (Digital Sciences and Technology) specialization, is intended for first and fifth grade classes. It's a great illustration of what high school students can achieve when given real digital projects with the aim of passing on this interest in digital technology and computer science to younger generations.
A constantly evolving NSI specialty
The teachers interviewed believe that the NSI specialty program must continue to evolve to keep pace with current digital technologies.
According to them:
- The official SNT program needs to be updated (it dates from 2019).
- The concepts of AI and cybersecurity need to be given more prominence.
- The links between NSI and the requirements of the superior must be strengthened.
- the creation of a supplementary NSI (Digital Sciences and Technology) instruction in the final year of high school would be beneficial for students wishing to continue studying computer science after the first year of high school.
They also emphasize the importance of increasing the key moments Competitions, outings, challenges, practical projects, workshops, project reports, interdisciplinary activities. These experiences help to give meaning, consolidate concepts and strengthen motivation.
An essential discipline for higher education and digital professions
There NSI specialty shapes the digital citizens of tomorrow.
It develops transferable skills: logic, reasoning, creativity, data comprehension, algorithms, critical thinking, and independent learning. These skills are fundamental, whether students pursue them in mathematics, computer science, technology, engineering, or science.
Through the testimonies gathered, one conviction emerges:
The NSI specialty is not just a scientific subject. It is a living, modern, innovative discipline that must be valued, strengthened and supported.
There NSI Week This is the ideal opportunity to publicize these initiatives, highlight innovative teachers and support the national momentum around digital sciences, from middle school to high school.
In this article, we have chosen to highlight the NSI specialty at high school.
But the NSI Week highlights a much broader range of teaching: SNT, technology, mathematics, algorithms in middle school, interdisciplinary projects and all the subjects that allow computer science and digital sciences to be taught in a comprehensive and inclusive way.
To find out more about the week and events near you: https://www.semaine-nsi.fr/
