Your schedule for the summit is yours to create. There are several concurrent sessions happening at the same time and we encourage you to choose one session per time slot to make the most of your summit experience. Feel free to participate in sessions that do not directly apply to your grade level if you’d like!
Please note if your selected session is taking place on the “Stage” or in the “Sessions” tab of our virtual conference platform. The locations are noted for each timestamp below.
Stage: 9:00 – 9:10 a.m.
Welcome and Announcements
Stage: 9:10 – 9:55 a.m.
CS for Social Good
Join us for a conversation on how computer science education can be leveraged to solve social issues of our time and to effect positive change.
Speakers: Dr. Nicki Washington, Marekus Fluellen, Brandon Nicholson, Ph.D., Dr. Tamara Pearson, Lien Diaz, and Bryan Cox
9:55-10:00 a.m.
5 min Transition to Concurrent Content Sessions
Content Sessions: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Choose One)
All Aboard for CS Success with LEGO Education Coding Express
Find out how students can learn about sequencing, looping, conditional, and more through play! This hands-on session will explore building early coding concepts using a train and track while developing problem-solving skills, critical thinking, collaboration, and social and emotional skills.
Presenters: Kelly Reddin, Dr. Leanna Prater, Sonya Glasper Burden
Intended Audience: K-5, New & Experienced, Higher Ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Your Voice Is Power: Make Beats, Learn Code, Promote Equity
In light of recent events around racial injustice, Amazon Future Engineer and Georgia Tech have partnered with Pharrell and his philanthropic organization, YELLOW, to create an innovative multi-day learning experience and coding competition, “Your Voice is Power”, for students across the country. Using Pharrell and JayZ’s new song “Entrepreneur”, middle & high school students will explore how entrepreneurship, music, and computer science are transformational pathways toward equity.
Presenters: Sabrina Grossman, Chalece DeLaCoudray, Danyelle Larkin
Intended Audience: Educators Grades 6-12, New & Experienced, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Culturally Responsive Project Based Learning in CSEd
This session will focus on strategies for teachers to implement Project-Based Learning (PBL) in CSed that aligns with culturally responsive hallmarks. Teachers will learn easy steps to build their own PBL unit.
Presenter: Lily Ho Turula
(K-5, 6-8, New & Experienced)
Equip Your Students with Technical and Professional Skills with SkillsBuild
SkillsBuild is a digital learning platform that exposes students aged 13-20 to the emerging fields and skills — both technical and professional – that can give them on-ramps to careers in STEM. The platform features P-TECH Connect, a forum for educators and students to connect across the globe on exciting tech and workplace topics.
Presenter: Cliff Archey
Intended Audience: Educators Grades 9-12, New & Experienced, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Active and Equitable Student Recruitment
Discover ready-made templates, tips, and strategies to support equitable participation in CS through active and inclusive student recruitment. This session starts with a brief overview of the elements that contribute to equitable participation in CS education and then provides a deep dive into actionable takeaways. Explore a customizable planning guide, ideas for events and activities, flyers, posters, and a micro-credential that allows educators to demonstrate their equitable recruitment skills. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss recruitment strategies that have and have not worked effectively at their schools and explore an activity designed to help students feel a sense of belonging in computer science. Teachers, students, counselors, administrators, and families can all play a role in equitable student recruitment. Join this session to help you create or improve your plan for actively and equitably recruiting students for your CS courses!
Presenters: Jason Slabodsky, Marie Girardot
Intended Audience: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced, Principals, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
11:00 – 11:10 a.m.
BREAK
Stage: 11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Featured Panel: Re-Imagining Racial Justice in Computer Science Education
Our current moment requires reflection and reimagining for what we want K-12 computer science education to look like and the future tech workforce. How are we seeking racial justice for students in our computer science classrooms? How are we preparing our students through computer science education to solve social justice issues they face or that are plaguing the world? This session will talk about where we are in regards to racial equity in computer science education and our hopes for where our work needs to go so that CS can truly be for all.
Presenters: Shana V. White, Dr. Allison Scott, Frieda McAlear, Dr. Aman Yadav
12:00 – 12:20 p.m.
LUNCH and NETWORKING
12:20 – 1:20 p.m. – Content Sessions – (Choose One)
So You Want to do Esports?
In this session we will venture into the realm of Esports and explore what it takes to start a Gaming Club, Esports team, or even launch your own Esports curriculum. From the IT and equipment requirements to the language necessary to create an equitable environment where all gamers are welcome!
Presenter: PK Graff
Intended Audience: Educators Grades 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced
How to Implement Summer STEM and CS Camps
This session will discuss how to provide free STEM and computer science summer day camps for students in elementary and middle school.
Presenter: Erin Rehberg
Intended Audience: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Teacher Collaboration using GitHub
Open-source software was founded on the premise that software should empower users by protecting their freedom to copy, modify, and collaborate on source code. Over the last ten years adoption of open source tools (python, git, Linux, etc) has exploded, but the idea of open source is still relatively unknown in the K-12 space. Presenters will share a way for all CS educators and stakeholders to get into the open-source game by using tools like GitHub to build and share CS curriculum collaboratively.
Presenters: Brandon Murry, Rob Kramlich
Intended Audience: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced, Higher ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Teaching and Using Artificial Intelligence in K-8 Computer Science
The use of artificial intelligence has increased significantly over the past few years. We are living in a world that requires educators to prepare students, not only with academic learning, but with problem-solving skills, interpersonal relationships, and ethical behaviors to live and work in a world full of AI. Learn how to teach students about AI and walk away with resources you can use in your classroom this year.
Presenter: Hannah England
(K-5, 6-8, Teachers New to CS)
Python and micro:bit meet TI Nspire CX II
Learn how easy it is to get started with coding in Python and integrate micro-bit, a multifunctional microcontroller board. Participants will watch a brief demonstration as we program the TI Nspire CX II to display a “Heart Beat” on the micro:bit. We will discuss the role coding plays in helping students build conceptual understanding in mathematics. We will also look at a few examples of coding activities that promote student thinking and provide the opportunity for all students to experience success. Come ready to learn and contribute to our discussion.
Presenter: Beth Smith
(6-8, 9-12, Teachers New to CS, Higher ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches)
1:20-1:25 p.m.
BREAK
1:25-2:25 p.m. – Concurrent Panel Sessions (Choose One)
Designing a CS community Engagement Digital Toolkit
The purpose of our session is to share with the audience the steps involved in the UX Research and Design process of a web based tool designed to engage Black students and teachers in CS with a particular focus on AP CS. During our session, we will invite our attendees to access the tool and give us live feedback on is interactivity. The outcome of our session will be to highlight the importance of culturally relevant UX research and design when creating digital community engagement efforts.
Presenters: Sabine Thomas, LeoLin Bowen
Intended Audience: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, Teachers New to CS, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Make Beats. Learn Code. Promote Equity.
EarSketch is a novel approach to teaching computer science concepts via algorithmic music composition and remixing in the context of a digital audio workstation paradigm. It utilizes the power of music to engage diverse student populations in computing education and increase their intentions to persist in computing, especially among women and underrepresented minority students. Three projects have taken EarSketch one step further and have built upon integrating the arts to include student voice and choice and themes of racial and social justice. This panel will consist of the curriculum designers from these projects: CAPACiTY, Remezcla, and Your Voice is Power. They will discuss how each project uses EarSketch in both informal and formal learning experiences through a different lens, giving students a voice in the computer science classroom. Usually, these projects are presented separately at conferences. However, this unique panel explores all the applications of EarSketch in K-12 classrooms in one presentation and implores audience participation in the future use of EarSketch to broaden participation in computer science.
Presenters: Roxanne Moore, Doug Edwards, Diley Hernandez, Chalece DeLaCoudray
Intended Audience: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced, Higher Ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Pandemic Positives: The Ten Best Virtual Teaching Tactics for the Coding Classroom
COVID-19 caused the entire world to switch to entirely virtual models of teaching, including the world of computer science education. The Google Code Next program is no exception, and both 1) took a live program completely virtual and 2) launched a new, fully virtual program for Black and Latinx high school students anywhere in the United States, as a response to the limitations of COVID-19. But what tactics were most successful, and what can and should continue to be incorporated in virtual and hybrid models moving forward? Presenters will discuss their top ten tactics.
Presenters: Mary Jo Madda, Isaiah Fleming, Francisco “Paco” Nieto, Amber Morse
(K-5, 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced, Higher Ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches)
2:25 – 2:35 p.m.
BREAK
2:35 – 3:20 p.m.
Stage: Featured Guest Speaker: Dr. Leah Buechley
Pandemic Positives: The Ten Best Virtual Teaching Tactics for the Coding Classroom
Dr. Leah Buechley is an American educator, engineer and designer who is best known as the developer of the LilyPad Arduino toolkit and other smart textiles. Dr. Buechley is currently serving as an Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico’s Department of Computer Science. She was formerly an assistant professor at the MIT Media Lab.
Presenters: Mary Jo Madda, Isaiah Fleming, Francisco “Paco” Nieto, Amber Morse
(K-5, 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced, Higher Ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches)
Speakers: Michelle G. Lee (CSTA Equity Fellow and CS Instructional Specialist), Charity Freeman (CSTA Equity Fellow and CS Teacher), and Shana V. White (CSTA Equity Fellow and Computer Science and Health Teacher)
3:20 – 3:25 p.m.
BREAK
3:25 – 4:25 p.m. – Content Sessions – Choose One
Igniting a Passion for Learning with Humanoid Robots & Coding
Why should you introduce a humanoid robot to your classroom? What educational benefits can programmable robots bring to your students? We’ll be answering those questions and covering examples and evidence of how humanoid robots can increase attainment in education. From improving achievement across numeracy and literacy (ELA and math) to encouraging creativity, developing teamwork, cooperation, and communications, robots can encourage engaged learning, align to the curriculum, and support learning progression from early years to post-secondary education.
Presenters: Jennifer Roeder, Michael Sinclair, Natalya Ratner
Intended Audience: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, New & Experienced
Driving The Move to Text: Coding in Middle School
Middle School is complicated. Teaching middle school students to code is no different. Students come to you in 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.
Presenters: Leandra McGriff, Daniel J. Gallagher
Intended Audiences: Educators Grades 6-8, New & Experienced, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Get your Students Excited about Computer Science with SPIKE Prime
How can we open all students’ minds to possible career pathways while setting them up for success for life after graduation? Learn how STEM solutions like SPIKE Prime not only teach essential computer science, science, and engineering principles but also get your students excited about a career in STEM. Explore how a Foundations of Physical Computing course combines science, computational thinking, computer science, and 21st-century skills.
Presenters: Kelly Reddin, Dr. Leanna Prater, Sonya Glasper Burden
Intended Audience: Educators Grades 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced, Higher Ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Not Just About Hard Skills: Building Students’ Tech Social Capital
Google’s Code Next program recognizes that while pathways exist to lead young students to and throughout the tech industry, many Black and Latinx youth face roadblocks and detours that prevent them from navigating these spaces and landing careers in tech. In line with the “CS for Social Good” topic, our program was designed to intentionally expand social capital in Black and Latinx neighborhoods by developing culturally engaging and community-centric tech innovation experiences that go beyond the typical coding boot camp. We will describe the Code Next model and delve into the framework for developing tech social capital, along with some important caveats to consider. Attendees will have the opportunity to adapt the framework to their own contexts and programs so that everyone can walk away with a plan of action and next steps for developing social capital among their students.
Presenters: Mary Jo Madda, Shameeka Emanuel, Alexandria Nelson
Intended Audience: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced, Higher Ed, Principals, Superintendents, State officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Interest Integration – Student Interest vs The Curriculum
This session will show modeling and strategies for engaging cross-curricular CS principles with student interest and core content using tools such as EarSketch, Ableton live, and Programming for Display cards.
Presenter: Marekus Fluellen
Intended Audience: Educators Grades 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced
4:25 – 4:30 p.m.
BREAK
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Concurrent Panel Sessions – Choose One
The Power of Teacher Leadership to Transform CS Education
CS teachers must develop numerous skills and attributes that go beyond those of other K-12 teachers, given the unique nature of the CS education landscape. In fact, CS teachers are often called upon to serve as teacher leaders very early in their CS careers in order to build a CS program in their schools or districts and ensure equitable access to CS courses. So how can we best support CS teachers in growing that leadership knowledge and skills? The American Institutes for Research (AIR) and its CS for All Teachers community of practice recently developed a “stack” of asynchronous and interactive professional learning modules – or micro-credentials – on teacher leadership in CS. There are five micro-credentials included in the stack, which focus on the following topics: 1) Equity in CS, 2) Collaboration in CS, 3) Building a CS Program, 4) Advocacy for CS, and 5) CS Policy. Presenters will discuss the promise of teacher leadership to transform CS education. They will share how the micro-credentials were created and what the literature says about using this approach for professional learning.
Presenters: Verna Lalbeharie, Catherine Jacques, Theresa Goltermann, David Lockett
Intended Audiences: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, Experienced CS Teachers, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials
Improve Student Outcomes with Data
This session will include presentations from three school districts that are utilizing data visualization and machine learning to improve student outcomes and change how educators leverage data strategically across teams and schools.
Presenters: Nicholas Handville, Tim Fleming, Michael LaMont, Bobby Blount
Intended Audience: Higher Ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials, Counselors, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches, District Staff
Computer Science Supplemental Licensure: Challenges and Lessons Learned
Teachers from a multitude of disciplines are now engaged in teaching computer science all across America. However, there is a lack of pre-service programs that prepare teachers CS licensure, and teachers must seek out alternative training programs. Join this session to learn how CSforCLE, a team from Cleveland, OH, has designed workshops that focus on exam strategies and concepts that will increase chances of success leading to supplemental licensure. This panel will discuss what led to this decision and how the program has successfully supported an increase in supplemental license applications for Northeast Ohio teachers. Attendees and will be given suggestions on how to structure a teacher-preparation program and things to consider for licensure. Come learn from CSforCLE!
Presenters: Crystal Franklin, Carla Neely, Shanti’ Coaston, Debbie Jackson
Intended Audience: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, New & Experienced, Higher Ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials
5:30 – 5:35 p.m.
BREAK
5:35 – 6:20 p.m.
Recruitment & Retention with an Equity Mindset in the CS Classroom
This panel of teachers and students will share their experiences and perspectives on how to equip educators and leaders with equitable approaches to recruit and retain students of color and students with disabilities in computer science.
Presenters: Shanti’ Coaston, Monique Davis, Mya Tomoto, and La’Dorrein Flowers
Intended Audience: Educators Grades K-5, 6-8, 9-12, New and Experienced, Higher Ed, Principals, Superintendents, State Officials
6:20 – 6:45 p.m.
Networking
Take advantage of the opportunity to meet fellow CS teachers in Georgia and across the nation as well as speak with presenters
8:00 – 9:30 p.m.
Coded Bias Watch Party
Check back soon for additional information. In the meantime, enjoy the trailer of this incredible film!