Computer Science
Professional Development Summit
June 21st & 22nd
(All times are Eastern. This schedule is TBD and subject to change)
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
9:00 – 10:15 Virtual Coffee and Networking – Connect with colleagues, exchange information, and share resources. Bring your morning beverage and be prepared to complete a Networking Game Card for a prize! Join us for welcome and announcements – We have prizes!
10:15 – 11:15 Keynote Speakers :
– Jean Ryoo, Director of Research, Center X – CS Equity Project, UCLA, Author: Power On!
– Jane Margolis, Senior Researcher, UCLA CS Equity Project, Co-author: Power On!
Power On!
is a graphic novel that follows the lives of four friends as they learn how computer science is shaping our world, and how they seek to change the face of computing through their own high school experiences and communities.
11:15 – 11:35 Prizes!
Break and Networking
11:35 – 12:35 Concurrent Sessions
Power On! Teacher Resources by CSTA Equity Fellows
More info forthcoming
STEM & Storytelling With LEGO Education (K-5) Presenters:
Dr. Holly Gerlach, Sonya Glasper Burden (LEGO Education) Bring STEM and storytelling alive inside of the classroom! Through a hands-on approach. Learn how K-5 students can complete a series of developmentally appropriate STEM challenges with LEGO Education resources. Educators will engage in unique and creative experiences that combine storytelling and STEM together. Each learning experience will use high-quality literature to provide context for the STEM scenarios. Through this curriculum, students will have robust opportunities to develop literacy skills and learn about STEM concepts and skills.
Integrating CS and ELA: Code a Vocabulary Word (K-5) Presenters:
Melody Hagaman, Laurie Green (BootUp PD) Get a taste of BootUp’s concentrated professional development program in this hands-on workshop. Create an interactive vocabulary word and learn how to use BootUp’s free curriculum to integrate computer science into ELA and other content areas. Participants will be provided access to free and complete K-6 CS curriculum and resources. Session is appropriate for all computer science experience levels, even beginners.
Coding With Culture: Creating a Kdg-HBCU Pathway In CS (K-8) Presenter:
Victor (Coach) Hicks Our session will focus on the rich culture and history of HBCUs and how this can be incorporated into culturally relevant project based learning experiences for students in grades K-8. In addition, we will discuss how Historically Black Colleges are tangible and realistic pathways to help increase the presence of underrepresented minorities in computational thinking-related fields. Participants will have access to lessons actually used in the K-8 computer science/STEM classroom as well as brainstorm and lay the foundation for creating their own culturally sustainable computational thinking lessons or units.
Panel: Building And Leading Student-Centered Computing Programs (6-12)
Anona Shugart Walker, Melanie Kimes, Lysandra Donigian (Google Education) Google runs several programs that are designed to ensure every student has the chance to explore, advance, and succeed in computer science. In this presentation, we’ll spotlight two programs: Code Next and Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI). Code Next is a free, computer science education program that meets Black, Latinx and Native high school students in their own communities, and provides the skills and inspiration they need for long and rewarding careers in computer science-related fields. CSSI is an online, four-week introduction to computer science (CS) for rising first year college students with a passion for technology — especially students who identify with groups that have been historically marginalized in the field. Panelists will describe how they keep students at the center in program design and execution. They’ll also discuss how they build community and use student feedback to enhance and improve their programs. Panelists will end by describing how educators can connect their students to these opportunities.
Make CS Extreme – Marketing CS To Stakeholders (9-12)
Jacki Reid (MindSpark) Participants in this sessions will examine exemplar CS programs and pathways from across the nation. and create their own K-12 pathway flyer to promote CS in their school/district. They will be asked to use information about what their school/district currently offers but to incorporate information from learning from the exemplary schools/districts they previously studied. Participants will learn how they can market CS to their stakeholders. This session promotes increased access and participation in CS through allowing more students and internal/external stakeholders to have knowledge about what opportunities are available to them in CS in their school/district. It also promotes schools/districts to create more robust CS opportunities comparable to exemplar schools/districts studied.
Looping in Students’ Interests With Responsive Functions In Minecraft (9-12)
David Guy (Maynard H. Jackson High School, Atlanta Public Schools), and Terry Foster (Constellations Fellow) Participants will learn how to leverage the creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and immersive digital environment of Minecraft to develop skills with coding loops and custom functions in Python. Minecraft Education Edittion is used in education globally, with many school districts offering it FREE along with other Microsoft Office Suite applications for students.
12:35 – 1:10 Lunch and Networking
1:10 – 1:15 Join us on the stage as we kick off the afternoon with more prizes!
1:15 – 2:00 Panel: The Power of Community-Based Organizations
Presenters: Oneisha Freeman (Director of Partnerships and Programs, Inspiredu) and Ernest Holmes (President and Co-Founder, CodeHouse)
Learn about organizations that significantly enhance student preparedness for the future of work and active digital citizenship. CodeHouse aims to tackle the diversity gap in technology by providing exposure and resources to enhance students’ technical skills, promoting internship/full-time placement, and elevating the next generation of diverse leaders in technology. And Inspiredu partners with schools, districts, non-profit organizations, and government entities to empower students and their families with the digital tools and training to create a successful learning environment at home.
2:00 – 2:05 More prizes!
2:05 – 3:05 Concurrent Sessions
Engineered Inequality & Rethinking Relationships To CS (K-12) Presenter:
Jared O’Leary (BootUp PD) Discussions around the digital divide often revolve around inequalities related to a lack of access to technology or CS education; however, access alone does not create equitable learning experiences. This session unpacks some of the (un)intentionally engineered inequities in CS and encourages a rethinking of how we engage with CS and technology by discussing concepts such as the digital divide, rhizomatic learning, technological determinism, and more. Educators will walk away with several recommended resources (e.g., articles, podcasts, and books) that further unpacks what is introduced in this session.
CS First (K-8)
Presenter: Amy Moore, Professional Development Specialist,
Five Star Technology Solutions In this interactive virtual workshop educators will learn how to utilize CS First, Google’s free, ready-to-teach, computer science (CS) curriculum for elementary and middle school students, grades 4-8.
CS + Creativity (6-12)
Presenter: Jacki Reid (MindSpark)
Participants will explore CS content focused activities for 6-12 grade educators/content areas via a choice board. Participants will have access to the example choice board and create a new choice board they can use with their class incorporating CS into their subject area. The purpose is to up-skill teachers on integrating CS into their daily routine as an outlet for creativity and product knowledge. Incorporating CS into daily learning gives all students a chance to participate in CS, increasing equitable access to CS. By the end of the session, educators will have created a choice board they can use in their class integrating CS into their teaching.
Accessible Python Courses for MS and HS (6-12)
Sofía De Jesús (Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science Academy) CS Academy is a browser-based Python curriculum offering that is available free of charge to schools all over the world. Our curriculum offerings include courses like CS0, which is a short course for middle school grades and after school clubs, CS1, which is our year-long flagship course for high school students, and additional modules for AP CSP and CS2. We will share the course highlights of our graphics-based, browser-based, no download offerings and complete a Creative Task activity. Creative tasks are end-of-unit assignments that allow students to be creative. Because they are open, we encourage students to explore self and culture through their works. The possibilities for those activities are endless. In addition, our curriculum offers collaborative tasks that allow students to simultaneously work on the same canvas to create original, group projects. We will also discuss how this curriculum is accessible to everyone and is available in multiple languages. As we strive to expand representation in CS, it is imperative that we have the tools available to teachers and students that will allow access without incurring additional budgetary expenses that may not be available to everyone. Our goal is to provide world-class curriculum for all and expand how we use CS curriculum to further work in equity, diversity, and justice. All course offerings, teacher and student accounts, trainings, and teacher/student support are free of charge.
Picasso Script
Presenter: Marekus Fluellen (Frederick Douglass High School, Atlanta Public Schools)
Activate students’ creativity in computer science with an artistic approach to programming.
3:05 – 3:30 Break and Networking
3:05 – 3:30 On the Stage Student Panel:
Then and Now and Lessons Learned for Inspiring Youth in CS Education
Presented by: Bryan Cox, Terry Foster, Lavita Williams
Students: Destini Deinde-Smith, Jimauris Johnson, Amber Jones, Jazmyne Mangham*
Former students share their stories on their CS education journey. Hear what motivated them and honest feedback on how to inspire students in today’s classroom.
3:30 – 4:15 Prize Drawings
Announcements
Closing Remarks
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
9:00 – 9:20 Virtual Coffee and Networking Connect with colleagues, exchange information, and share resources. Bring your morning beverage and be prepared to complete the Networking Game Card for a prize!
9:20 – 9:30 Join us on the stage for welcome, announcements, and prizes!
9:30 – 10:30 Keynote Speaker:
– Michelle Harris, Senior Consultant,
Instructional Coaching Group Coaching For CS Equity [More information forthcoming]
10:30 – 11:15 Panel: CS Coaching – For Teachers With Teachers
Presenters: Michelle Harris (Senior Consultant, Instructional Coaching Group), Jen Rosato (National Center for CS Education, College of St. Scholastica), Don Yanek (Chicago Public Schools), Meg Ryan (NYC), Lien Diaz (Constellations Center for Equity in Computing), Bryan Twarek (CSTA) Facilitated by Michelle Harris, Instructional Coaching Group
This panel will discuss the importance of embracing individual strengths and fostering purposeful collaboration to create equitable CS classrooms. They will share how their coaching efforts have resulted in increased collaborative and reflective practices.
11:15 – 11:30 Break and Networking
11:30 – 12:30 Concurrent Sessions
Panel: Next Level CS Teaching And Learning:
Coaching Tools and Practices
Presenters: Michelle Harris (Instructional Coaching Group), Sababu Chaka Barashango (Constellations Center, Georgia Tech), Jen Rosato (National Center for CS Education, College of St. Scholastica), Don Yanek (Chicago Public Schools), Meg Ryan (NYC), Bryan Twarek (CSTA) Coaching is empowering.
Teachers who have received coaching are rated as significantly more effective and inspiring, and are more satisfied with their job. Presenters will share a variety of practical tools to apply as a reflective practitioner or to become a CS coach.
Unplugged Coding In The Elementary School (K-5)
Presenter: Amber Melander, Patrick Henry Elementary School, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Teachers will learn how to take large, abstract ideas such as sequencing, looping, and debugging, break them down into their most basic skills in order to reach younger learners and build a strong computer science foundation through unplugged, real-world-based lessons.
CS + Math (K-5)
Presenter: Jacki Reid (MindSpark)
Participants will explore CS activities for K-5 grade educators focused on math via a choice board. They will have access to the example choice board and create a new choice board they can use with their class incorporating CS into math. The purpose is to upskill teachers on integrating CS into their daily routine as an outlet for creativity and product knowledge. Incorporating CS into daily learning gives all students a chance to participate in CS, increasing equitable access to CS. By the end of the session, educators will have created a choice board they can use in their class integrating CS into their teaching during math.
Play And Learn, Robot Mini Golf With CodeJoy (K-8)
Presenters: Kelsey Derringer, and Matt Chilbert (CodeJoy Education)
During this live, interactive session, participants will code and control real mini golfing robots remotely, LIVE! Using our online video and coding platform, CodeJoy.Live, watch as your code controls our cardboard robots during our Robot Mini Golf session. Play along with our main character Elby, chat with Matt the Robot, and code and control real robots remotely! CodeJoy is an online education company that teaches robotics and coding virtually to students and teachers all over the world. From our multi-camera teaching studio in Pittsburgh, we’ve served over 12,000 students and teachers since 2020. We’ve been featured in Make: Magazine, and worked with clients ranging from UC Berkeley and UNICEF, to school districts across the country. We use common tools like the BBC micro:bit, Hummingbird Robotics Kit, and Finch Robot, plus common craft supplies like cardboard and hot glue, to create fun experiences, engaged learning, and approachable follow up projects. We’re engaging more students and teachers than ever in CS and robotics education!
Computational Thinking With SPIKE Prime (6-8)
Presenters: Dr. Holly Gertach, and Sonya Glasper Burden (LEGO)
In our everchanging society, how do we ensure we are supporting students as technology continues to change the ways we play, live, and work? Innovative thinking and problem solving skills are essential skill sets that will remain timeless. In this session, we will explore the various aspects of the physical computing, accompanied by our Foundations of Physical Computing courses for secondary grades. Discover creative strategies and ready-to-implement activities to support and develop computational thinking and physical computing with SPIKE Prime! Even as we embrace the unknowns of tomorrow, we possess the ability to provide opportunities for our students to thrive. Join us as we prepare to create the future builders and problem-solvers of tomorrow!
Integrated Data Science across the Curriculum (6-12)
Presenter: Emmanuel Schanzer (Bootstrap)
There’s a lot of hype about whether or not Data Science can replace a full-year math class. But no matter where you stand on that issue, this debate ignores the fact that Data Science *doesn’t need* to replace math. This talk will include a rigorous definition of K12 Data Science that serves admins, counselors, and teachers alike, along with concrete examples of integrated Data Science in grades 5-12. We’ll also share some of the research outcomes we’ve gather over the last half-decade, and the lessons learned from helping states across the US formulate their Data Science strategy.
Teaching Technical AI Without Math or Programming (9-12)
Presenter: Sarah Judd (AI4ALL)
Open Learning creates curriculum and resources for high school classroom teachers (of all subjects) who are interested in teaching AI and expanding access to AI education to students historically excluded from AI fields. The Open Learning program is free, approachable, teacher community-focused, and inclusive to groups historically excluded from AI fields. While all of our curricula discuss the importance of inputs to AI to what it creates, we also wanted students to see what happens under the hood to process that input. We did not want that understanding limited to only students with the math and programming background required to understand most traditional AI courses. To this end, we developed several lessons on how specific AI technology work that do not require any previous experience to understand. It walks students through the concepts aurally, visually, experimentally, and with unplugged activities to reinforce the concepts for all learners.
12:30 – 1:05 Lunch and Networking
1:05 – 1:10 Join us on the stage as we kick off the afternoon with more prizes!
1:10 – 1:55 On the Stage
K12 Equitable CS Practices, Implementation,
and a Vision for the Future
Presenters: Shana V. White, Frieda McAlear (Kapor Center)
Presenters will discuss experiences with Black and Native students in K12 CS education and their communities. They will share ideas and projects deployed to truly create equitable CS education that is culturally relevant and inclusive of historically marginalized students, especially Black and Native American student groups.
1:55 – 2:00 More prizes!
2:00 – 2:20 Break and Networking
2:20 – 3:20 Concurrent sessions
Building Apps In Swift (K-12)
Presenter: Steve Hayman (Apple, Inc.)
At Apple, we believe every student should have the opportunity to make an impact on the world. And we believe that when you teach code, you’re not only teaching the language of technology, you’re teaching new ways to think and bring ideas to life. Join us to discover how developer tools from Apple can help you prepare your students with essential skills for the future.
Driving The Move To Text Coding In Middle School (K-8)
Presenters: Leandra McGriff, and Daniel Gallagher (Tynker) Middle school is complicated.
Teaching middle school students to code is no different. Students come to you from all different places, but you want to make sure they are comfortable with text-based languages by the time they move on to high school. Join us for a hands-on session to experience how Tynker’s scaffolded curriculum carefully progresses students from Tynker Blocks to text-based languages like Python and JavaScript.
Bringing Cybersecurity Through CyberStart (6-12)
Presenters: April Pelfrey (Gwinnett County Public Schools), and Lakecia Gray (Dekalb County Schools)
CyberStart America is a great way to get students involved in cybersecurity in a fun engaging platform. We will walk you through how the competitions work, give you an opportunity to try out the competitions, and give you ideas for ways to set it up in your classroom for a fun, engaging experience for all students. We will also talk about additional opportunities and resources for Title 1 schools and their students through ACCESS CyberStart. Students can obtain prize money and scholarship opportunities in the growing field of cybersecurity through CyberStart!
Student-Centered Computing: Beyond the Name (6-12)
Presenters: Douglas Edwards (Georgia Tech, CEISMC), Philip Peavy (Gwinnett County Public Schools), Macoyia Bates (Clayton County Schools)
This session will show research based activities related to culturally relevant student voice and choice in CS that significantly improve student engagement and computational thinking. The purpose of the session is to allow teachers to explore pedagogy focused on using voice and choice to engage students in computing. Participants will reflect on a problem topic of choice then split into breakout rooms related to using computational thinking to bring awareness to the topic by modifying code in EarSketch in one breakout room and code blocks in the other breakout room, then share their results.
Support Student Choice With CodeHS Computer Science Pathways (9-12)
Presenter: Jennifer Campbell (CodeHS)
There are many different routes that a student can take in their computer science journey. CodeHS courses and pathways help provide students with a choice of what they’d like to learn and which direction they’d like to go in. This session will show the different CodeHS courses and pathways that align with GA courses and pathways and how to individualize each student’s learning journey within these courses. Participants will also explore and interact with supplement modules and projects.
3:20 – 3:25 Transition to the Stage
3:25 – 4:10 On the Stage
Panel: You Can’t Grow Schools Without Growing Yourself First
Presenters: Marekus Fluellen (Atlanta Public Schools), David Stephens (Atlanta Public Schools), Lavita Williams (GADOE), Moderator: Sababu Chaka Barashango, Constellations Fellow
Hear from a team of inspiring CS educators who will share their experiences and growth development over the last several years through the pandemic. The panel will discuss strategies for growing a sustainable CS program and how coaching has elevated their accomplishments in their school.
4:10 – 4:30 Prize Drawings
Closing Remarks