Computer Science Office Newsletter
Nick Grzeda: Computer Science Supervisor
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is an annual event, typically observed on the fourth Thursday of February, that encourages young girls to explore and pursue careers in engineering. Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day involves activities, workshops, and mentorship opportunities designed to spark interest and showcase the possibilities within the engineering field. The goal is to address gender disparities in STEM fields by empowering and inspiring girls to consider engineering as a viable and exciting career path.
For the past three years, Microsoft has worked with our middle schools to provide girls in grades 6-8 with an opportunity to engage with engineers who provide them with hands-on activities as well as a guest speaker panel. On February 22, Microsoft’s Kelly Lanier-Arnold and Kristie Morris hosted Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day at Seneca Ridge Middle School to 75 girls from Seneca Ridge Middle School and River Bend Middle School. The girls constructed CAT-5 Cables, programmed AdaFruit Circuit Boards, and connected with Microsoft engineers to strengthen their workforce readiness skills.
Engaging with Microsoft engineers on this day provides students with practical insights into engineering and technology, empowering them with role models and expanding their career horizons. Microsoft's ongoing support and partnership, including the commitment to host future events, contribute significantly to bridging the gender gap in STEM fields. Furthermore, Microsoft's provision of AdaFruit Circuit Playground kits and display boards to each middle school in LCPS through a Loudoun Education Foundation Grant enhances educational opportunities in engineering beyond the event itself. This type of partnership provides students with direct opportunities and allows them to fulfill the tenets of LCPS' Profile of a Graduate with fidelity.
Minecraft Education
Delve into the world of Minecraft Education, a specialized adaptation of the beloved block-building game crafted for educational endeavors. Designed with educators in mind, this version offers many features to facilitate a safe, focused and communicative learning environment.
Minecraft Education, available across multiple platforms, ensures inclusivity and accessibility for students of all backgrounds. Its immersive gameplay is a powerful game-based learning tool, enriching students' experiences with project-based tasks and problem-solving challenges. Through engaging gameplay, the platform cultivates STEM learning, digital citizenship, and real-world confidence among students.
Moreover, Minecraft: Education Edition introduces a code builder mode, seamlessly integrating coding lessons into the gaming experience. This innovative approach enables students to learn coding skills while having fun.
But the benefits extend beyond the students. Minecraft Education provides teachers with a robust support system, fostering collaboration through discussion boards and school partnerships. With access to tutorial videos, downloadable lesson plans, and customizable templates, educators can effortlessly create tailored lessons using the game's virtual worlds.
The Classroom mode empowers teachers to monitor and engage with each student individually, utilizing tools like chalkboards to assign tasks and non-playable characters to guide students through challenges.
Minecraft Education revolutionizes the classroom experience, offering a dynamic platform where learning knows no bounds.
What's Happening at the AWS Think Big Space?
MS English Teacher PD
MS English Teacher PD
MS English Teacher PD
Harper Park 3D Printing Bird Beaks
Harper Park 3D Printing Bird Beaks
Intro to Computer Applications Class
Intro to Computer Applications Class
Intro to Computer Applications Class
Arcola CS Planning
Arcola CS Planning
Michael Pellegrino: Principal at Waxpool Elementary
As the principal of Waxpool Elementary School, it fills me with immense pride to witness the incredible growth and achievements of our students and staff since our establishment in 2019. Our vision of cultivating an engaging learning environment focused on preparing students for the complexities of the 21st century has been at the forefront of everything we do.
At Waxpool Elementary, we believe in the power of continuous improvement. Our staff members are constantly challenged to expand their skills and expertise, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of educational innovation. Through meticulous planning and innovative programs, we have successfully integrated project-based learning (PBL) and computational thinking (CT) across our curriculum.
One of the key pillars of our success has been the integration of computer science and computational thinking into our daily practices. Led by Shawn DeLuca, Instructional Facilitator of Computer Science, and Jane Stockton, Instructional Facilitator of Technology, our teachers have embraced new tools and programs to enhance student learning. Together, they explore avenues for purposeful integration of technology throughout the core content standards of learning (SOLs), providing our students with valuable opportunities for self-expression and exploration.
One noticeable change throughout our building is the shift from "print-rich" tasks to more "hands-on" activities. With access to various CS tools and programs, our curriculum has become more vibrant and engaging. Students are encouraged to engage in authentic problem-solving activities, developing valuable skills that empower them to thrive in their environment.
As the principal of Waxpool Elementary, I have witnessed firsthand the transformational impact of integrating computer science and computational thinking into our curriculum. Students are not only gaining valuable technical skills but also developing essential problem-solving and collaboration abilities. I am proud to see our students working together to solve challenges and expressing themselves confidently through computational thinking strategies.
Furthermore, I have seen remarkable growth among our staff members over the past five years. What initially began as a new concept has now become an integral part of our daily culture. Teachers have embraced technology in the curriculum, recognizing its true value in benefiting our students' learning experiences.
Looking ahead, my vision for Waxpool Elementary is to create a learning environment where the integration of computer science and computational thinking is seamlessly woven into our daily practices. Additionally, I envision a future for our county where technology is purposefully integrated into the curriculum, ensuring that our students are prepared for the demands of an increasingly digital world.
Mrs. Amber Messegee: 3rd Grade Teacher at Round Hill
Recently, Mrs. Amber Messegee, a third-grade educator at Round Hill Elementary, implemented an innovative instructional strategy that integrated science and computer science concepts into her curriculum. Aligning with the school's Improvement Plan (SIP) emphasis on enhancing science vocabulary, Mrs. Messegee devised an activity aimed at reinforcing scientific content while introducing fundamental principles of computer science.
This collaborative initiative involved students in the exploration of physical and behavioral adaptations, guided by the 5Cs framework encompassing critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, and contribution. Employing digital tools such as Canva, students utilized their technological competencies to source visuals illustrating various adaptations.
To further integrate technology, Mrs. Messegee incorporated the use of BlueBot robots, assigning students to work in collaborative groups. Each group was tasked with configuring their grid layout using the visuals sourced from Canva. Engaging in collaborative coding exercises, students applied computational thinking skills to navigate the BlueBot to specific visuals while avoiding areas unrelated to the targeted adaptation.
Mrs. Messegee noted the significant impact of this integrated approach on student engagement and comprehension. Departing from conventional paper-and-pencil exercises, students were empowered to actively explore interdisciplinary connections. This activity not only ignited enthusiasm for learning but also enhanced their grasp of scientific vocabulary, underscoring the transformative potential of merging science and computer science within the elementary classroom setting.
Mrs. Jennifer Daniel: 4th & 5th Grade FUSION Teacher at Sterling Elementary
Recently, Mrs. Daniels undertook a compelling initiative alongside her 4th and 5th-grade FUSION students aimed at leveling up how biographies could be incorporated within the classroom environment.
The students were assigned the task of crafting representations of renowned leaders using bottles, which they then adorned to resemble their chosen figures. To integrate technology into their project seamlessly, the students employed Makey Makey, transforming their biography bottle depictions into interactive exhibits.
Subsequently, a leadership summit was held, allowing visitors to explore the lives of historical personalities with a simple press of a button. These buttons were connected to the Makey Makey devices, facilitating access to recordings created by the students.
Reflecting on the educational endeavor, Mrs. Daniels remarked, "The integration of Makey Makey significantly heightened student engagement, rendering the learning process both enjoyable and interactive. It enabled students to demonstrate their knowledge in a captivating manner, leaving a profound and enduring impact."
Brandon Elhai & Stacey Walters: 8th Grade Math at J.L. Simpson Middle School
In the vibrant atmosphere of a pre-algebra classroom, something extraordinary unfolded recently – an innovative blend of mathematics and technology. Picture this: students engaged in a review session centered around angles, but with a twist – the integration of the iRobot Root.
With the help of Mrs. Angie Fraser, one of our Middle School Instructional Facilitators of Computer Science, students were introduced to the basics of coding the iRobot Root before embarking on a thrilling exploration of coding and geometry guided by their teachers, Mr. Elhai and Ms. Walters.
Throughout the session, students delved into coding fundamentals, unraveling the intricacies of angles – from acute to obtuse, and even delving into complementary and supplementary angles.
Mr. Elhai noted the adaptability of the activity, expressing pride in how students not only grasped angle concepts but also witnessed the versatility of robots in constructing them in various ways. Partnered up and armed with task cards of increasing complexity, students collaboratively applied their newfound coding skills to construct different angle types, catering to diverse learning needs.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Walters highlighted how the angle unit served as a gateway to coding for many students. While some effortlessly translated their knowledge into code, others faced challenges in precise instruction writing, sparking discussions that enriched their computational thinking processes.
Amidst animated discussions and shared discoveries, students contributed unique perspectives to the collaborative endeavor. Through partner discussions, teachers gained invaluable insights into students' computational thinking processes, fostering deeper understanding of individual learning journeys.
In this inclusive environment where robots and mathematics intersected, students didn't just learn about angles – they embraced them, one code at a time. And in their shared journey of discovery, they found not only knowledge but also joy, proving that when creativity and technology converge, the possibilities are limitless.
Loudoun Valley High Schoolers Visit Loudoun Water
In January, the students enrolled in the Cyber Operations class at Loudoun Valley High School embarked on an insightful and educational field trip to Loudoun Water, a pivotal institution in the region's infrastructure.
Accompanied by their teachers, the students delved into discussions with experts from Loudoun Water, gaining firsthand insights into the intricate world of cybersecurity within critical infrastructure systems and delving deep into the nuances of cyber threats that loom over essential infrastructure networks.
Briar Woods High School Cyber Club
In the fast-paced world of technology, staying ahead of the curve is essential. At Briar Woods High School, students are not just keeping up; they're leading the charge in information technology and cybersecurity. Thanks to the Briar Woods Cyber Club, spearheaded by CTE teacher Chris Starke and supported by industry professionals Randy Benn and Tom Bendien, students are diving deep into various aspects of IT and cybersecurity.
The club offers a dynamic platform for students to learn and enhance their skills in diverse areas such as website creation, networking, artificial intelligence, and industry certifications. It's not just about theory; it's about practical application and hands-on experience.
During a recent club meeting, sophomores Pran Sanwal and Ishita Samant took the reins by creating and delivering a presentation on the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). They didn't stop at theory; they challenged their fellow members to a hands-on exercise using Cisco's Packet Tracer network simulation tool. This interactive session required students to configure simulated PCs and a Cisco router for DHCP operation based on the concepts presented.
The engagement was palpable as students delved into the intricacies of network configuration. Working in teams, they applied their newfound knowledge to ensure proper communication between simulated PCs. It wasn't just about completing a task; it was about understanding the underlying principles and troubleshooting in real-time.
The highlight of the session was the friendly competition that ensued. With a prize on the line, teams raced against the clock to successfully configure their networks. It wasn't just about winning; it was about collaboration, problem-solving, and pushing boundaries.
Inspire Loudoun 2024
Contact Us
Email: csforlcps@lcps.org
Website: https://www.lcps.org/Page/235030
Location: J. Lupton Simpson Middle School, Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg, VA, USA
Phone: 571-252-2854
Twitter: @csforlcps