From our families to yours, we wish you a holiday season filled with love, laughter, and rejuvenation!

We hope you'll take some time to relax, unwind, and get a much needed break. Here's hoping 2021 is full of health, happiness, and CS for all!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! CS Ed Week 2020 is here!
 
We've got lots on information for you below, including resources to make your CS Ed Week and Hour of Code a breeze!
 
Here's a quick highlight of what's in our December newsletter:
  • CSEdWeek Resources
  • CSTA Iowa Spring Meetings Details
  • CSTA Equity Grant Interest Survey - HELP!
  • CSTA's Future of CS Summit
  • Resource share: Learning Beautiful (Elementary) & Coded Bias (Secondary)
  • Member Spotlight: Briana Goodenbour

December Updates & Announcements

Happy CS Ed Week!
Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K–12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. Celebrate with an hour of code from December 7th - 13th, 2020! Be sure to share your events on social media with the hashtags #CSforIA, #CSEdWeek, and #HourOfCode!
Read more...
2021 Member Meetings - We're trying something new!

CSTA Iowa Chapter meetings will look a little different this Spring. We're hoping to make it easier for you to join us for some content and social time with one meeting per month.

Read more...
Opportunity to Learn & Grow CS Equity Together - Please Complete Our Interest Survey 
The Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance in collaboration with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) is calling for applications for a new grant program to support projects that focus on equity in K-12 computer science education. CSTA Iowa needs your input so we can submit an application that meets the needs and interests of our members.
Read more...
Virtual K-12 CS PD through Pathfinders Winter Institute 
The Infosys Foundation USA is excited to host its second annual Pathfinders Winter Institute - virtually - from Feb 12-15, 2021! Applications are due December 11, 2020 for interested educators.
Read more...
CSTA's Future of CS Summit
Join CSTA on Jan. 16, from 11a to 4 p.m. CT, for The Future of CS: Emerging Concepts in CS Education. 
Read more...
CSTA 2019-2020 Annual Report Available
CSTA's 2019-20 Annual Report has been released and highlights continued organization growth and new initiatives
Read more...

December Learning & Connection Opportunities

9-12 Iowa Computer Science Standards Self-paced Course from AEA Learning Online
Online, self-paced course
Oct 19, 2020 8:00 AM -
Jun 30, 2021 11:30 PM
 
K-8 Iowa Computer Science Standards Self-paced Course from AEA Learning Online
Online, self-paced course
Oct 19, 2020 8:00 AM -
Jun 30, 2021 11:30 PM
 
Oracle Academy Supported Self-Study Courses
Online, self-paced courses
Jan 04, 2021 8:00 AM -
May 12, 2021 11:30 PM
 
CSTA Iowa January Virtual Member Meeting & Social Hour
Jan 12, 2021
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
 
View entire list

December Teaching Resources & Strategies

Elementary Resource: Learning Beautiful
This month we'd like to highlight learning beautiful a site that provides hands-on materials for young children to learn the basics of computer without computers. They offer free learning at home activities as well as products for your classrooms or home.
Secondary Resource: Coded Bias Free Screening
This month we'd like to highlight an opportunity for a free screening of the documentary "Coded Bias" from 11/30 - 12/14, 2020. About Coded Bias: "Modern society sits at the intersection of two crucial questions: What does it mean when artificial intelligence increasingly governs our liberties? And what are the consequences for the people AI is biased against?" This would be a great way to engage students in conversations and thinking about the impacts of computing.
Do you have an AWESOME CS Resource to share?
Please click the button below to submit your resource.

December Member Spotlight

CSTA Iowa Spotlight on Briana Goodenbour
This month CSTA Iowa shines a spotlight on Briana Goodenbour. Briana is a Math & Computer Science Teacher at Cedar Falls High School at Cedar Falls Community School District.
Step up to the Spotlight!
Please click the button below so we can highlight the great CS work you're doing too!

Welcome to #CSforIA!

A warm welcome to our new members this month! 
  • Annapurna Gummadi - India
CSTA Iowa supports and connects educators across Iowa with teaching Computer Science.
Please contact any member of the CSTA Iowa Leadership team with questions, concerns, and ideas!
President
Digital Learning Consultant 
Grant Wood AEA
Iowa City
Vice President
Web & Mobile Instructor
Waterloo Career Center/Hawkeye CC
Urbana
Secretary
7-12 Science & CS Teacher
North Mahaska Jr/Sr High
Treasurer
Calculus, PreCalculus, CSP, CSA, Statistics Teacher
MOC-Floyd Valley High School
Past President
Environmental Science, AP CS, AP Research
Central Academy
Des Moines
Community Partner
Director K-12 Education
NewBoCo
Cedar Rapids
Advocacy Agent
Computer Science Consultant
Iowa Department of Education
CSTA Iowa
iowa@csteachers.org

About Us

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!
 
Visit our website: iowa.csteachers.org

Questions? Suggestions?

CSTA Iowa is here to support you! Please share questions and suggestions with any leadership team member or at iowa@csteachers.org
 
 

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