CS Ed Week & Hour of Code will be December 7th-13th, 2020!
The Computer Science for Good (#CSforGood) theme introduced last year will be continued this year.
You can learn more about this year's event and plans in this article from Code.org on Medium. Register your event at hourofcode.org and be sure you add #CSforIA to your social media posts so we can all share the awesome learning happening during CS Ed Week!
Not sure how you'll celebrate yet?
CSTA Iowa is hosting a virtual meeting on Tuesday, November 17th @ 7p to share ideas and resources to help you Teach, Lead, and Share computer science during CS Ed Week. Please be sure you register here.
Interested in learning more about Iowa's Computer Science Standards? Check out the Iowa Computer Science Standards Self-paced Courses now offered on AEA Learning Online for Iowa educators.
There are two courses, one for K-8 educators and one for 9-12 educators. (Click the appropriate link to register.) Both courses contain the same content within the following 4 modules:
Understanding the What and Why of Computer Science,
the K-12 Computer Science Framework,
the CSTA (Iowa) Standards, and
Applying and Connecting the Computer Science Standards.
Educators can earn one license renewal credit for completing the course.
Earlier this year, CSTA added resources to their website to help you navigate the swift transition to the virtual classroom. They've updated this page to provide you with new virtual teaching resources organized into four sections to help you better navigate this information.
You can filter and search for the resources you need and navigate the following sections:
We were so excited for CSTA 2021 to be in Chicago because the trip isn't too far for many Iowans. However, the health and safety of members, along with state guidelines for gatherings, has CSTA making the shift to virtual again. They're excited to take everything they learned from CSTA 2020 and make the virtual experience bigger and better!
Mark your calendars for July 14-15, 2021! Registration for the CSTA 2021 Virtual Conference will open later this year.
Share the great things happening in your classroom with CSTA 2021!
Submit a Proposal to Present — Apply by Nov. 8
Whether you are considering presenting for the first time, or are looking to present again, now is the time work on your submissions! CSTA is accepting submissions for a one-hour session, three-hour workshop, 20-minute mini-session, 45-minute Birds of a Feather discussion, or a poster session. Visit their website for more information.
Need some help with your application? Check out these resources:
CSTA Conference Committee member, Jennifer Manly, shared some great tips about applying to present on our Instagram account!
Do you know an Iowa high school student looking to learn more about technology-based careers in Iowa? Invite them to attend the Iowa High School Tech Summit Presented by Principal Foundation on Tuesday, November 17th!
Young IT professionals will share engaging and insightful presentations focused on their experiences with internships and career paths to inspire the next generation of Iowa's high-tech workforce.
The Summit will also allow students to connect and interact with university representatives from Iowa colleges and universities and Iowa tech companies virtually.
This event was a big hit with students and teachers last year! Teachers can register a class or group or individual students can register on their own.
We're excited to share that the Iowa Department of Education (IDOE) announced that the application process for the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund (CSPDIF) is now open through Nov. 9. Eligible Iowa school districts and accredited nonpublic schools may apply for funding aimed at building the computer science teacher workforce.
Application support materials are available on the IDOE website to help guide schools and districts through the planning and application processes. Please note, there are changes to the 2020-21 application.
Applications for funding must demonstrate how schools will prepare K-12 educators to teach computer science and expand high-quality computer science instruction based on Iowa’s computer science standards adopted by the State Board of Education.
The CSPDIF was created through 2017 legislation that encourages computer science in every school in Iowa. It is funded through a state appropriation as well as with dollars from a 2007 settlement of an Iowa class-action lawsuit filed against Microsoft Corp.
Applications should be submitted through IowaGrants. For more information on the CSPDIF, contact Wren Hoffman from our Bureau of Leading, Teaching, Learning Services, at wren.hoffman@iowa.gov.
This is a wonderful opportunity for districts to fund computer science professional development and ensure that all students in Iowa have access to high-quality. PreK-12 computer science instruction!
Looking for ways to CS Ed Week and host an Hour of Code event for students? Check out the Hour of Code site to register, access resources, and explore tutorials to help students use #CSforGood!
Elementary Resource: Hour of Code Activity Collections
This month we'd like to highlight the Digital Learning Team at Grant Wood AEA's grade banded collection of Hour of Code resources and activities. You can find resources organized by PreK-2 and 3-5.
Secondary Resource: Hour of Code Activity Collections
This month we'd like to highlight the Digital Learning Team at Grant Wood AEA's CS + content area collection of Hour of Code resources and activities. You can find resources to help integrate CS into K-12 Math, Literacy, Social Studies, Science, and Music/Media/Art.
This month CSTA Iowa shines a spotlight on Rachella Dravis. Rachella is the Teacher Leadership System Coordinator at Fort Madison Community School District.
CSTA Iowa supports and connects educators across Iowa with teaching Computer Science in many forms.
Whether you teach CSP to high school students or integrate coding into elementary literacy, we're here to share resources, support your practice, and connect you with CS educators across our great state!
