November 2024 Newsletter

The new school year is moving quickly! This month's CSinPA newsletter is stuffed with lots of resources, information, and opportunities. And for even more from the world of CS, please join us on our Community of Practice.

• We are excited to announce there are significant changes to the structure of the upcoming CSforAllPA Summit. These changes have been implemented to enhance your overall experience, increase engagement and ensure a more dynamic and interactive event. This year’s Summit will be offered as a two day hands-on intensive workshop where educators will iteratively develop a universal-designed, culturally relevant, and standards-aligned CS lesson plan.

  
  

  There are stipends and travel assistance available! See more details here.

We’re excited to share that the CSTA Susquehanna Valley Chapter has already hosted three of their six workshops focused on physical computing with Micro:bits! Led by Jeff Wile, these engaging sessions have provided universally designed lessons that actively engage all participants.

Looking ahead, our upcoming workshops will feature SEL connections with C4C, further exploration of extension activities, and creating an action plan for implementation.

Can’t attend live? Join the conversation on our Mighty Networks to ask questions or share ideas. All workshops are held virtually on Zoom at 7:30 PM EST. After you register, you'll receive a Zoom link via email.

For more information and to register, please check out this Smore.

Registration is open for the Winter/Spring Cohort for the 7-12 Praxis Prep Pathway for the 24-25 school year. Registration will be open until December 31, 2024.

The Cohort will run from January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. This pathway engages 7-12 educators in activities to develop Computer Science (CS) content area knowledge and skills via the online We_Teach CS program. As a result of the Pathway, LEAs will have an educator ready to take and pass the 7-12 CS certification exam and to offer a standards-aligned middle or high school CS course. Follow the link in the attached newsletter to register.

Click this link for more information.

Are you a teacher planning or interested in teaching AP Computer Science Principles or a current Computer Science A teacher? Or are you an administrator looking to expand your school's AP offerings? AP has an exciting opportunity for you. AP is offering an online Summer Institutes to help you explore the AP Computer Science Principles course and exam.

AP Summer Institutes offer the most thorough professional learning available for AP educators. Attendees engage in 30 hours of content-rich training designed to strengthen how they teach their AP courses.

As part of this opportunity, you will receive a $250 stipend for attending, one year of Plus Membership to the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), and your registration fees will be covered by AP.

You’ll leave your AP Summer Institute experience with ready-to-use strategies and pedagogical tools shared by an experienced educator within the AP community.

If you are interested in learning more please fill out this form here.

You can also learn more about the AP CSP Summer Institute at one of two live sessions see the information below to register.

Session 1:

• When: 11/21/24 at 4:00 PM

• Where: Meeting Link (Register link will be sent to you.)

Session 2:

• When: 12/02/24 at 4:00 PM

Where: Meeting Link (Register and link will be sent to you.)

Registration is now open and ongoing for the following courses in our Micro-credential Program.

• CSinPA: Why, What and How? (2-hour)

• AI in the Classroom: Introduction (2-hour)

• AI in the Classroom: Integrating AI to Support Student Learning (4- hour)

• Cybersecurity in the K-8 classroom: Introduction (2-hour)

• Using Music to Engage Students in CS Learning (4-hour)

• Empowering all students in CS Learning through a Behavioral approach (4-hour)

The CSinPA team is excited to announce a paid opportunity for computer science (CS) students to guest moderate our CSinPA Community of Practice, an online platform focused on CS education.

This program is a week-long commitment requiring approximately 4 hours total, and consists of leading discussions and sharing insights with our virtual community of practice. If you know of any students who might be interested, please share the program overview and application.

Interested students can complete the application to be considered.

Benefits:
Selected moderators will receive:

1. Recognition for their contributions on the platform.

2. Opportunities to network with professionals and experts in the field.

3. Students will be paid a stipend of $100

Mercyhurst University is offering a special (free!) dual enrollment opportunity this spring for high school juniors and seniors with autism across Pennsylvania.

The program runs from January - May and involves a virtual 3 credit introductory course in the cybersecurity major plus these supports:

• Weekly one-hour 1-1 meetings with Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst (AIM) professionals to discuss the student's academic progress, executive functioning skills, and related topics

• Academic tutoring

• Additional enrichment, including tips and best practices for transitioning to college, including an in-person session on campus and multiple virtual information sessions for families

Review the brochure here for more information.

High school seniors may receive an Amazon Future Engineer #scholarship of up to $40,000 toward a degree in engineering or CS. There were 8 AFE scholarship recipients from Pennsylvania in the class of 2024. Congratulations, and good luck in your studies:

• Destiny Downer - City Charter High School, Pittsburgh

• Kayla Henderson - South Western High School, Hanover

• Crystal Jiang - Central High School, Philadelphia

• Esther Newton - West Allegheny Senior High School, Imperial

• Mohinur Rashidova - George Washington High School, Philadelphia

• Benjamin Shvartsman - Harrisburg Academy, Harrisburg

• Julia Smith - Burgettstown High School, Burgettstown

• Tahsin Zaman - J.R. Masterman High School, Philadelphia

Applications are due December 19, 2024.

We’re excited to announce the launch of our Instagram account: csinpa.

Follow us for updates, events, and resources so continue expanding Computer Science in PA. We will share tips, success stories, and opportunities to connect with others in the field. Join our growing community and be part of the conversation!

Access previous editions of the CSinPA newsletter.

To ensure you never miss the latest CSinPA news, join the CSinPA virtual community.