August 2026 Newsletter
CSinPA
Looking Ahead to a New School Year!
A new school year is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to start planning for another exciting year of computer science education. This month's CSinPA newsletter highlights professional learning opportunities for the year ahead, introduces the newly released CSTA K–12 Computer Science Standards, and shares additional resources to help you get ready for a successful start. We look forward to learning with you this year!
Professional Learning
New Cohorts of the Cybersecurity Pathway for 7–12/CTE for 2026-27
Are you ready to empower your students with the skills they need to thrive in the fast-growing field of cybersecurity? We’re excited to invite you to join Cohort 3 and 4 of the 7–12/CTE Cybersecurity Education Pathway, a fully online 6 month professional development program designed to give you the tools, knowledge, and resources to implement a cutting-edge cybersecurity curriculum in your school.
Program Highlights:
Flexible Learning: Attend one online check-in session and complete one asynchronous module per month on your own pace.
Industry-Aligned Curriculum: Align instruction with key standards and frameworks such as CSTA, NIST, and CIS.
Hands-On Labs: Explore practical cybersecurity tools and techniques through interactive online labs.
Capstone Project: Design and submit a cybersecurity unit map or lesson plan to showcase your learning.
Pathways will run from October to March and January to June.
Register here and join this exciting pathway to strengthen cybersecurity education in your classroom!
Back for 2026–27: Cybersecurity Through Capture the Flag (CTF) Workshops!
Our popular Cybersecurity Through Capture the Flag (CTF) Workshops are back for the 2026–27 school year! This year, we're offering three regional workshop locations where educators will explore hands-on cybersecurity challenges, discover classroom-ready CTF resources, and learn practical strategies for integrating cybersecurity into their curriculum.
Registration will open soon! In the meantime, complete the Interest Form on our Smore page to reserve your spot and be among the first to be notified when registration opens.
We're also planning three additional regional workshops for Spring 2027, with locations and dates to be announced soon.
Visit our Smore page to learn more and complete the Interest Form
New Cohorts - PA Fly Lab FAA Part 107 Pathway
PA Fly Lab will run five FAA Part 107 cohorts during the 2026 - 27 school year. There will be two 6-month and three 3-month cohorts. The pathway will equip 9-12 educators with the knowledge and skills to bring drone technology into their classrooms. Through a mix of self-paced modules, live check-ins, and hands-on activities, participants will engage with TKU’s FAA Curriculum and design a unit or lesson plan aligned to CSTA, STEELS, and/or CTE standards.
Check out the SMORE for specific dates and to be added to our email list when registration is available.
New Cohort - Accessible Programming with Quorum
This 2026-27 school year, we’ll be launching an asynchronous/virtual 6-month educator cohort from October 2026 to March 2027 to help educators like you learn about a fully accessible programming language Quorum. This unique PD experience for all CS educators covers the Quorum programming language, specifically designed to be easy to learn and use for students of all abilities.
Participant will receive structured support, hands-on learning, best practices, and ready-to-use curriculum that includes interactive lessons, study aids, and activities. The program also fosters peer collaboration with a community of educators and industry experts, equipping teachers with valuable resources to integrate accessible programming into their classrooms.
Visit our Smore for details and registration.
Game Design with Quorum – An Accessible CS Pathway for Educators!
Coming This Fall!
CSinPA is excited to launch a new 6-month professional learning cohort focused on game design using the Quorum programming language—built from the ground up for accessibility and inclusion. Educators will learn to create platformer and puzzle games in Quorum Studio while exploring core computer science concepts such as variables, loops, libraries, and user input.
Participants will gain classroom-ready lessons, hands-on projects, and practical strategies to bring engaging and inclusive computer science experiences to all learners.
The pathway includes live virtual sessions, asynchronous coursework, peer collaboration, Act 48 hours, for eligible participants.
Registration opens September 1, 2026 and the cohort begins in November 2026! Visit our Smore for details.
7-12 Praxis Prep Pathway
Registration opens soon for the Fall Cohort for the 7-12 Praxis Prep Pathway.
This pathway engages 7-12 educators in activities to develop Computer Science (CS) content area knowledge and skills. 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.
Check out the SMORE for more information about the Fall and all upcoming 2026-27 cohorts.
Events
Data Literacy Action Summit – October 6, 2026
Join educators and school leaders from across Pennsylvania for the Data Literacy Action Summit: Weaving Data Fluency Across Disciplines for Civic Impact
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Data Science 4 Everyone (DS4E), in collaboration with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit (AIU3), will host this event on October 6, 2026, at PaTTAN Central in Harrisburg.
This summit will support local education agencies in expanding opportunities for data science and data literacy while exploring innovative pathways for student learning.
Registration is now open! The summit is designed for teams of 2–4 teachers and school leaders from the same district, though individual registrations are also welcome. Each participant must register individually using the registration link or QR code on the flyer. Register by September 14, 2026.
- Free event
- Breakfast and lunch provided
- Limited travel scholarships available
The 2026 CSTA PK–12 Computer Science Standards Are Here!
The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) has officially launched its 2026 PK–12 Computer Science Standards! Designed to prepare every student for a world powered by computing, the new standards emphasize inclusive, human-centered learning that integrates computer science concepts, practices, and essential habits of mind.
It is anticipated that the Pennsylvania State Board of Education will endorse the 2026 CSTA PK–12 Computer Science Standards. The CSinPA team is using the 2026 standards to guide CS implementation across Pennsylvania.
Moving forward, all CSinPA professional learning programs will align with the 2026 standards. CSinPA resources are under revision and new materials will be added to the toolkits.
Check out the 2026 CSTA standards and resources in our CSinPA Toolkit!
Shout-outs and Celebrations
Congratulations to our FAA Part 107 Certified Educators
Congratulations to the following educators for successfully completing our FAA Part 107 Professional Learning Pathway and earning their FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification. We celebrate your achievement and look forward to the impact you’ll make by creating new opportunities for students through drone education!
Congratulations to:
Lisa Pison - Lebanon County CTC
Joshua Fleming - Solanco SD
Carl Tyce - Bucks County IU
Jason Crighton - Freeport Area SD
Jeffrey Laurenson - Pittsburgh SD
Joe Mylant - Derry Area SD
Corey Edmonds - Eastern York SD
Matthew Phelan - Upper Bucks CTC
Matthew McClung - Upper Bucks CTC
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