CSforAZ News
Issue 14: March 2019
2019 CSTA/Infosys Foundation USA Awards for Teaching Excellence
NSF Launches Bit and Bytes
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has reinvigorated their CS Bits and Bytes newsletter, with an exciting line-up of issues for the year. Each issue highlights innovative computer science research. Learn more and view issue 3 here.
CSEdResearch Site Launches
Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Computer Science Education Repository provides links to research-backed activities for:
- Teaching K-12 students formally in school and informally at camps, after-school, or during CS Education Week, and
- Planning and conducting professional development of K-12 teachers.
This repository has also been designed for researchers exploring the effectiveness of these formal and informal activities.
What is your curation process?
The curation process for this site includes organizing, evaluating, and parsing papers and evaluation instruments using a methodology defined by its authors. The curated articles come from a variety of targeted journals and conferences, and each article has been analyzed to identify its primary research questions, data that was collected as part of the study, the activities that were evaluated, and more. A team of five people has been actively identifying and analyzing the articles, and each article goes through two reviews.
What’s included in this repository?
We seeded the repository by curating data from articles related to K-12 CS education from each of the following ten journals (2012-2018):
- ACM International Computing Education Research
- ACM Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education
- ACM SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education
- ACM Transactions on Computing Education
- Frontiers in Education
- IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference
- IEEE Transactions on Education
- Journal of Educational Computing Research
- Koli Calling
- Taylor & Francis’ Computer Science Education
We will continue to add to this collection.
Research Collaborative Announcement
As part of the CSforAll Summit celebration (watch it on livestream on October 9), CS for All Teachers is excited to announce the launch of a research collaborative related to supporting teachers of CS virtually. Specifically, we will pilot a research collaborative with five program providers who support CS teachers online or through a blended approach. This collaborative will co-develop a research agenda and study common benefits and challenges of virtual professional development over the course of a three-year period from 2018 to 2021.
Interested in learning more or having your program or project be a part of the research collaborative? Send Joey Wilson, a co-PI of CS for All Teachers, an e-mail: jwilson at air.org.
Modern Figures Podcast
Modern Figures Podcast (http://modernfigurespodcast.com/) guest stars Black women in computing who share their stories and perspectives on technical, societal, and personal topics. Geared toward women of color in STEM, especially high school and college students, the podcast also highlights the interestingly relatable, pivotal moments along their journey in computing.
To listen to the podcast, visit Apple iTunes, Google Podcast, Spotify, or Stitcher. Subscribe at http://modernfigurespodcast.com/subscribe-to-podcast/.
This podcast is produced in collaboration with the Institute for African-American Mentoring in Computing Sciences (iAAMCS), a national resource for all African-American computer science students and faculty.
Women's History Month
Announcing Arizona CS PD Week 2019
Initial registration is open for Arizona's first ever computer science week of professional development for K-12 teachers and school counselors. Arizona Computer Science Professional Development Week (AZ CS PD Week) will take place June 17-21, 2019 at ASU’s College of Engineering. There are a variety of learning pathways depending on your interest and grade levels you teach. Initial registration & interest is being collected via this form. You will then receive follow-up directions to register through Arizona Department of Education.
High schools that do not currently offer Computer Science courses are encouraged to work with their district and apply for funding assistance from the AZ Computer Science Professional Development Fund.
Thank you to our supporters:
Arizona Department of Education,
ASU College of Engineering,
CSTA
CSforAZ and CSTA-Arizona for their input in planning.
Who: School counselors
When: June 17 + optional day of follow-up and shadowing another PD strand
What: NCWIT Counselors for Computing (C4C) provides professional school counselors with information and resources they can use to support ALL students as they explore computer science education and careers. Download the one-page information sheet to learn how C4C offers counselors with professional development.
Anticipated Cost: FREE for CSTA+ Members,
$50 for Non-CSTA+ Members. Initial Registration HereWho: Grades 9-12
When: June 17-21, 2019
What: Mobile CSPrinciples
This course is supported by the Mobile Computer Science Principles Project (Mobile CSP), an NSF-funded effort to provide a broad and rigorous introduction to computer science based on App Inventor, a mobile programming language for Android devices. The course is based on the College Board's emerging Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles curriculum framework for introductory computer science.
In this course you will learn computer science by building socially useful mobile apps. In addition to programming and computer science principles, the course is project-based and emphasizes writing, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Anticipated Cost: $30 for CSTA+ Members,
$50 for Non-CSTA+ Members. Initial Registration HereWho: Grades 4-8
When: June 17-21
What: Microsoft MakeCode provides a new approach to computer science that combines the magic of making with the power of code in a way that engages every student in computational thinking – we call this approach Hands-on Computing Education.
Introduction to MakeCode for the micro:bit – Come join us to learn about this little device which is making a big impact in CS education around the world. In this workshop, attendees can expect to get hands-on creating MakeCode projects with the micro:bit, and get access to curriculum and resources they can use in the classroom. No prior experience required.
Introduction to MakeCode for Circuit Playground Express – Multi-colored lights, buttons, sounds, and more! The Circuit Playground Express is a great introduction to physical computing, from elementary to high school. In this workshop, attendees can expect to get hands-on creating MakeCode projects with the Circuit Playground Express, and get access to curriculum and resources for the classroom. No prior experience required.
Introduction to MakeCode Arcade – Come join us to learn about the new Microsoft MakeCode Arcade – a 2D game development environment entirely online. In this workshop, attendees can expect to get hands-on creating simple 2D games using Microsoft MakeCode, and get access to curriculum and resources they can use in the classroom. No prior experience required.
Day 4-5: In this hands-on three hour professional development workshop, teachers will learn how to use CS First, Google’s free ready-to-teach introductory computer science (CS) curriculum for elementary and middle school students.
During the three-hour workshop, teachers will:
Review the CS First curriculum
Test drive a CS First class from a student and teacher perspective
Develop a plan of action for teaching CS First in their classrooms
Most importantly, teachers will join the growing community of CS First educators from around the world. Google CSFirst
Anticipated Cost: $30 for CSTA+ Members,
$50 for Non-CSTA+ Members. Initial Registration HereWho: Grades 6-12
When: June 17-21, 2019
What: Bootstrap
Bootstrap:Algebra applies mathematical concepts and rigorous programming principles to creating a simple videogame, and is aligned to National and State Standards for Mathematics as well as the CSTA standards and K12CS frameworks. The module can be taught as a separate, standalone tech or CS class, or can be integrated into a mainstream math class, delivered by a math teacher with no prior CS experience. In Bootstrap:Algebra, students create a simple, 3-character game involving a player, a target and a danger. They design what each character looks like, and use mathematical concepts such as coordinate planes, order of operations, ratio and proportion, Domain and Range, function composition, word problems and the distance formula to detect collisions, handle keystrokes, and determine how they move and interact. In addition to learning programming, students who take Bootstrap:Algebra have shown improvement on standard, pencil-and-paper algebra tasks.
Anticipated Cost: $30 for CSTA+ Members,
$50 for Non-CSTA+ Members. Initial Registration HereWho: Grades 6-10
When: June 17-21, 2019
What: Project GUTS - Computer Science in Science:
Why Computer Science in Science? Every science classroom can benefit from the integration of computer science in science. Through the Project GUTS CS in Science curriculum, students make fundamental scientific concepts come alive
through modeling and simulation and deeply engage in computational thinking while undertaking innovative explorations of STEM concepts using modern scientific practices.
What’s in a workshop? Interactive instruction from an experienced Computer Science in Science facilitators including an introduction to computer science, pedagogy, curriculum overview, and practice with the StarLogo Nova programming environment. Curriculum Features: Online programming environment that uses a visual block-based language; Daily instructional lesson plans for teachers, videos, and supplemental extension resources • Modular design allows for a range of classroom implementation time (10-25 hours); Aligns to
national science (NGSS) and computer science (CSTA) standards The CS in Science Modules: Module 1: Introduction to Modeling and Simulation - Learn the basic concepts in modeling
complex systems through hands-on activities and participatory simulations Module 2: Water as a Shared Resource - Investigate the importance of groundwater and the impacts of water usage on aquifer levels Module 3: Ecosystems as Complex Systems - Explore a simple
predator-prey model to consider who eats whom—and what happens when one population grows faster than another. Module 4: Chemical Reactions - Study chemical reactions: the conditions under which they occur, the evidence, limiting reactants versus reactants in excess, and when chemical reactions stop. 96% of survey respondents recommend the Project GUTS CS in Science workshop to other teachers.
Anticipated Cost: $30 for CSTA+ Members,
$50 for Non-CSTA+ Members. Initial Registration HereWho: Grades 6-10
When: June 17-21
What: CSDiscoveries
Computer Science Discoveries is appropriate for 6 - 10th grade students and can b
e taught as a semester or year long introductory course (3-5 hours per week of instruction for 9+ weeks). The course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS, and data. The course inspires students as they build their own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices.
Anticipated Cost: $30 for CSTA+ Members,
$50 for Non-CSTA+ Members. Initial Registration HereWho: Grades K-3
When: June 18-19
OR
June 20-21, 2019
What: Scratch
Join us for four days of Scratch coding immersion, no prior coding skills required! We will start with the basics on how to teach Scratch to your K-3 students and build up to project ideas and content connection. You will walk away with an interactive digital story about yourself, a functioning video game that you built, and specific plans on how to implement Scratch into your classroom.
Anticipated Cost: $30 for CSTA+ Members,
$50 for Non-CSTA+ Members. Initial Registration HereWho: Grades 9-12
When: June 17-21, 2019
What: Oracle Academy - Java Fundamentals
Oracle Academy courses are designed to provide students with foundational knowledge and skills in areas of computer science that are universally in high demand across computing jobs and are recommended for use in secondary schools, technical and vocational schools and colleges, and 2- and 4-year colleges and universities.
This course of study engages students with little or no programming experience. Students are introduced to object-oriented concepts, terminology, and syntax, and the steps required to create basic Java programs using hands-on, engaging activities. Students will learn to program 3-D animations, develop 2-D games and create Java applications.
Anticipated Cost: $30 for CSTA+ Members,
$50 for Non-CSTA+ Members. Initial Registration Here
CSforAZ
Website: https://csforaz.org/
Location: Phoenix, AZ, United States
Twitter: @CSforAZ