CSinPA March 2023
Celebrations and Shout-Outs
PAsmart Targeted Grants
A new round of PAsmart Targeted Grants will be released very soon!
Each award will provide $35,000 to support local efforts to increase and diversify K-12 student engagement in CS learning.
The program is open to ALL public LEAs, including:
“First timers” (did NOT participate in previous Targeted Grant)
“Returners” (previously participated in Targeted Grant)
Awards will “run through” the 2023-24 school year.
June 30, 2024 is the deadline for all expenditures
We will send a special edition of the CSinPA newsletter as soon as the award application is posted on the PDE PAsmart webpage.
Professional Learning
PA-CSTA Virtual Unconference
Saturday, March 18: 9:00 am - 12:30 pm
There's still time to register for the PA-CSTA virtual unconference! Act 48 credit is available. All eligible participants will be entered into a special drawing for a scholarship to attend the 2023 CSforAllPA Summit.*
Leaders of the Pennsylvania chapters of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) and the PaTTAN CSinPA team will facilitate breakout discussions on developing your CS capacity, teaching CS, recruiting students, and building community partnerships.
*Participants must be currently employed at a Pennsylvania K-12 school/district to be eligible for the drawing. Two (2) scholarships will be awarded, each including: reimbursement for round-trip mileage, two-night hotel accommodations, meal stipends.
7-12 Praxis Prep Workshops and Pathway
Registration closes April 19. Participants may attend in-person at PaTAN Central, PaTTAN West or virtually. This stand-alone session is part of the four-part Praxis Prep Workshop series designed to help educators prepare for the 7-12 CS certification exam. Stipends are provided for substitute coverage, and travel assistance is available.
Registration for the "Spring" cohort of the Pathway (online, self-paced course) also closes April 19.
2023 CSforAllPA Summit
The sixth annual Computer Science For All Pennsylvania (CSforAllPA) Summit will be held June 14-15, 2023 at PaTTAN Harrisburg and online. There is no cost to attend and Act 48 credit is available, so register today!
In conjunction with the 2023 CSforAllPA Summit the CSinPA team would like to recognize outstanding K-12 computer science (CS) educators for their efforts to expand CS learning for all with the CS Exemplary Educator Award. Apply here for the award or nominate an educator here. The deadline has been extended to March 31st.
Opportunities and Resources
CSK5 National Summit
March 30, 12:00 - 2:00 pm (virtual)
Join us for the second national summit for K-5 CS education, a free event for K-5 educators, administrators, families, and advocates.
- Learn how top schools and districts are succeeding
- See the best in K-5 CS resources
- Network with others across PA and the U.S
Two ways to get national recognition for your K-5 CS efforts!
CSK5 District Showcase
The CSK5 summit will feature stories from schools and districts that are doing great things for K-5 CS, and we'd love to see a Pennsylvania school selected for this showcase
- Educators or administrators: Convey your interest in presenting during the showcase.
CS100 Awards
The CS100 Awards provide a new form of national recognition for top computer science elementary schools in the U.S. those that commit to teaching CS to100% of K-5 students in 2023-24. Schools will receive recognition during the CSK5 summit and on the CSK5 website, as well as a certificate to display locally.
- Educators or administrators: Apply for the CS100 awards by March 17.
Tech Kids Unlimited programs
Tech Kids Unlimited (TKU) is a non-profit educational organization empowering neurodiverse students’ lives through computer science principles and technology skills. Upcoming virtual workshops include:
Sunday Workshop: Music Production
March 5, 3:30 - 5:30 PM ET
Join a group of neurodiverse students (ages 7- 22) to explore new tech skills each week. Choose from our All Levels or Level II program and get ready to bring your tech ideas to life.
- All Levels: Learn how to create beats and produce digital music. No previous music experience required.
- Level II: Learn how to create beats, record sound, and produce digital music. The Level II workshop will also share tips for networking and collaborating with other musicians. Some experience with music is helpful.
How to be a UX Designer and Web Accessibility Specialist
March 7 - May 2 (8 sessions), 5:00 - 6:30 PM ET
This 8-week program is for participants ages 15-24 who are interested in learning how to design accessible digital products using professional tools like Figma, Miro, and Airtable. If you would like to learn more about web accessibility, design, and how to pursue a career path in this field, this workshop is for you!
After School Workshop: Digital Citizenship - Copyright
April 26, 5-6 pm EST
Learn about Copyright Law, fair use, and discuss some copyright infringement cases. This free workshop is designed for neurodiverse individuals ages 14- 22. With a relaxed atmosphere and a focus on open discussions, this program is a fun and stress-free way to learn and build confidence.
CSinPA Paid Opportunities
We're hiring! These part-time, short-term projects are 100% virtual and offer flexible scheduling. Make some extra money and build your resume by sharing your CS knowledge and passions! Applications for each project are accepted on a rolling basis.
CSinPA Toolkit Content Developers
Content developers will design content focusing on one of the following areas:
- CS college and career pathways
- family & community engagement
- lesson resources.
CSinPA Virtual Community Guest Moderators
Guest moderators will foster engagement and facilitate informal professional learning in the CSinPA virtual community over a two-week period. Guest moderators will be paid a stipend of $200.
CSinPA Post-secondary Perspectives program
Open to students enrolled in at least one CS course at a post-secondary institution (college, university, certificate program, etc.)
Students will foster engagement and facilitate informal discussion in the CSinPA virtual community over a one-week period. Students will be paid a stipend of $100.
Discover more opportunities and resources in the CSinPA CSinPA virtual community.
Stay up to date with CSinPA.
- Use the "Follow" button on this page to subscribe to the monthly newsletter and view past editions.
- Join the CSinPA virtual community hosted on Mighty Networks