Workshop Descriptions

WHO: Any K8 educator who is new or newer to teaching computer science

The K8 Integrated Computer Science professional development will allow educators to expand their understanding of computer science and computational thinking. Specifically, the PD will seek to build agency within educators to integrate computer science and computational thinking in their classrooms. In addition, the PD will aim to increase pedagogical content knowledge by addressing issues of equity in CS and demonstrating effective CS teaching. Lastly, this PD will provide teachers with the skills to include and engage all students in computer science by utilizing culturally responsive-sustaining pedagogy and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Lessons in various grade bands and subject areas will be available for educators. Educators will also have the opportunity to customize and create their own lessons.  

WHO: middle and high school teachers, especially science teachers

Project GUTS — Growing Up Thinking Scientifically — is an integrated science and computer science program for middle school students serving schools and districts internationally. Growing up thinking scientifically means learning to look at the world and to ask questions, developing and using computer models that help answer questions through scientific inquiry, and using critical thinking to assess which ideas are reasonable and which are not.  To grow up thinking scientifically means knowing science to be a computing-rich, dynamic, creative endeavor, a way of thinking, rather than a body of facts. Learn more about Project GUTS here.

WHO: ideal for middle school CS courses or teachers in upper elementary that have students who have learned introductory programming

Scratch Encore is an intermediate Scratch curriculum targeting upper elementary and middle school grades. It is organized into 15 modules, of 2-3 lessons each, to be completed across multiple school years. Modules build on the skills of previous modules, so they must be completed in order. Each module utilizes Use->Modify->Create pedagogy to develop knowledge of that concept. Use->Modify lessons utilize TIPP&SEE, a new learning strategy helping students to navigate the Scratch interface while learning from example projects. Learn more about Scratch Encore curriculum here.

Based on Raspberry Pi Foundation's Hello World: The Big Book of Computing Pedagogy, this PD will allow teachers a deeper dive into evidence-based computing education strategies. 

From the website: 

Hello World’s first-ever special edition focuses on approaches to teaching computing in the classroom and includes some of our favorite pedagogically themed articles from previous Hello World issues, as well as a couple of never-seen-before features. This special issue aims to be your companion to learning about tried-and-tested approaches to teaching computing. It bridges the gap between research and practice, giving you accessible chunks of research, followed by stories from trusty educators who have tried out various approaches in their classroom or educational space.

• Techniques for fostering program comprehension

• Advice for bringing physical computing into your classroom

• Introductions to frameworks for structuring your lessons

WHO: K-12 school counselors (elementary, middle, and high school are all welcome!)

The NCWIT Counselors for Computing (C4C) program provides information and resources that help counselors join the front line of the computing conversation. We bring people and programs together with professional development, knowledge, and resources to give all students access to transformative computing careers. Learn more about C4C

As school counselors we daily accept the challenge to create systemic change through our comprehensive school counseling programs.  But are we doing enough to create that systemic change in the world of work?  We understand the importance of identifying gaps within the demographics of our schools; however, many school counselors may not realize that many jobs continue to leave out large groups of students along the lines of gender and race.  At this conference, school counselors will understand how to affect these gaps by exposing all students to the essential 21st Century skills often found in computer science.  School counselors will come away from this session ready to level the playing field by spreading awareness of various careers and then filling those accompanying gaps. We will have time to play, learn from others, and develop an action plan that you can take with you back to school to help your students.

WHO: high school CS teachers looking to coach others in computer science teaching

Through funding provided by the National Science Foundation, Coaching for Equity in Computer Science is a new initiative focused on studying the impact of coaching on teachers in computer science. This professional development will prepare coaches will work closely with 2 teachers in 1:1 coaching sessions to provide ongoing support and encouragement through the school year via quarterly sessions and asynchronous communications. Coaches receive professional development prior to beginning work with teachers and are supported in their growth as a CS instructional coach through monthly academic year sessions with other coaches. Learn more about the project here.