Focus on: CS Improves Student Learning; CS Drives Technological, Social, And Scientific Innovation

Description: Project-Based Learning and Computer Science are a match made in heaven. Come and learn why CS fits so well into project-based learning and how to blend CS and computational thinking activities seamlessly into your projects.

Description: As students recover from the emotional impact of the global pandemic, social emotional learning has become an even larger concern for educators. Computing education is a rich source of content for SEL-centered activities. This session will cover key areas of alignment between social emotional learning and computing education, with a focus on how CSTA standards lend themselves to social awareness, effective teamwork, and empathy. Participants will explore several different examples of computing activities that leverage these connections and support students in developing the cross-cutting skills. Educators will leave with strategies to incorporate SEL into all aspects of computing education as well as resources for projects and activities that put SEL at the center of student learning.

Description: Join us to discover industry gaps, trends and requirements for hire as well as Computer Science curriculum, industry certifications and software for free from Microsoft.

Description: In a world that is more and more connected, the need for cyber security grows. We supply information to companies, websites, restaurants freely with an expectation of personal security. As the need for better security grows, the skills need to be taught to more than just IT professionals. Cyber security affects us all in many ways, more than most people realize. This session will cover who is affected by the need for cyber security, how do we connect computer science to security, innovations that have created a need for better security, and some horror stores from the news about a lack of security.

Description: Are you struggling to engage learners with a fun and immersive computer science curriculum? Join us for a session led by educators who have discovered how easy it is to teach coding with Coding in Minecraft—an innovative and easy way for teachers with limited coding experience - and best of all its available at NO COST to all Public Schools in WA! Minecraft is renowned for its sandbox approach to creativity. Coding isn't just about writing a program or giving a computer instruction. It's about working with friends to solve a problem in a new way. It's also about working together to create something new! Prodigy Learning has available an 'off the shelf' solution for you - Coding in Minecraft.

Description: Developed in collaboration with Amazon Future Engineer, AVID’s approach integrates computer science and computational thinking across disciplines.

Description: Join CoderZ for an interactive, hands-on, engaging opportunity and learn how to bring coding and virtual robotics to life in all classrooms utilizing a highly engaging Digital Learning Environment.

During this session, participants will be introduced to CoderZ, preview CoderZ curriculum, and interact with multiple virtual robots within the highly engaging CoderZ Digital Learning Environment. Participants will receive access to a FREE 3-hour interactive course to be used in their classrooms with students.

Additionally, if you work with a TITLE I School and/or District, you will receive access to 6 months of CoderZ curriculum – for FREE – to utilize in your classrooms with students.

CoderZ is a web-delivered, standards-aligned (CSTA, NGSS, & State), gamified, digital learning environment that supports computer science and STEM/STEAM with a focus on coding and cyber robotics.

With CoderZ, teachers and students apply computational and critical thinking skills to solve real-world problems by utilizing a depth of content knowledge gained from both embedded instruction and trial and error activities while interacting with the CoderZ curriculum (complete with standards-aligned teacher guides).

https://gocoderz.com/

Focus on: access to CS is an equity & social justice matter and CS is a critical component of school reform and improvement 

Description: In this fireside chat, hear from Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS Program participants - volunteers, school staff, and previous students - as they discuss their experiences and the impact of their high school computer science classes. They will touch upon their personal experiences in CS, how the industry is ever-evolving, why access for all students is critical, and why CS education is essential in the 21st century. This conversation will feature different voices along the CS Pathway to identify steps to navigate opportunities in the CS landscape and determine ways to be more inclusive of underrepresented student populations. Attendees will leave this session with insights on how CS improves student learning and strategies from new allies.

Description: In this session, we will consider social justice issues that show up in the application of computer science in our communities and in our schools. Participants will be supported in developing their advocacy for K-12 computer science education, with an emphasis on engaging traditionally excluded students. While this one-hour session will focus on our why, we will preview considerations for how we might take action toward educational justice.

Description: All students deserve access to computer science. This session will discuss computer science strategies and curriculum that is accessible to blind and low vision students in grades K-12.

Description: Is your school district wanting to move forward with computer science integration, but you're not sure how to get started?  This 1-hour presentation will provide insights as to how CSforALL's SCRIPT framework can help.

CSforALL's SCRIPT — the Strategic CSforALL Resource & Implementation Planning Tool — is a framework to guide district teams through a series of collaborative visioning, self-assessment and goal-setting exercises to create or expand upon a computer science education implementation plan for their students.

During this session, we'll share the essence of SCRIPT, and you'll hear from Tracy Savage, Assistant Principal at Zillah High School, as she shares how ZSD's SCRIPT journey allowed the district to realize success through the current pandemic.

Description: Join me for an overview of the strategic planning process that can help you put a strategic plan behind your vision for equitable CS education. This session will introduce the SCRIPT — the Strategic CSforALL Resource & Implementation Planning Tool — is a framework to guide teams of district administrators, school leaders, and educators through a series of collaborative visioning, self-assessment and goal-setting exercises to create or expand upon a computer science education implementation plan for their students.

Description: Join me for an overview of the new Elementary CS Specialty Enddorsement and the Secondary CS Specialty Endorsement. This session will introduce the final version of Elementary and Secondary computer science specialty endorsement essential learnings. The workgroup discussed and recommended the following essential learnings at the August workgroup meeting.