CSinPA Newsletter
March 2024
Shout-outs and Celebrations
The 2024 PA-CSTA Unconference Was a Hit!
On February 17, the Pennsylvania chapters of CSTA hosted the third annual CSTA-PA Unconference. We want to give a special thank you to all the local chapter leads who made this event so valuable for PA teachers, and to all the attendees who joined them for the unconference!
You can find more information and join your local CSTA chapter here!
Professional Learning
CSforAllPA Summit
The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education is pleased to announce the seventh annual Pennsylvania Computer Science For All (CSforAllPA) Summit will be held December 11-12, 2024 at PaTTAN Harrisburg and online.
Your voice matters, and we want to ensure that our upcoming summit reflects your interests and aspirations. Your valuable input will play a pivotal role in shaping the agenda and content of the event. To make sure that we address your specific preferences and needs, we kindly invite you to complete our interest form.
7-12 CS Praxis peer tutoring program
The peer tutoring program for teachers preparing for the PA 7-12 CS certification exam is back for 2023-24! We continue to offer the program to participants in any current or previous PaTTAN 7-12 CS professional learning program (7-12 PAsmart 1.0/2.0, CSinPA 7-12 CS Praxis Prep pathway). For more information on the CSinPA 7-12 Praxis Prep pathway for the 2023-24 school year please click here
K-8 Micro-credential Program
As part of our K-8 micro-credential program, we are currently developing a series of courses focusing on supporting educators in empowering ALL students, specifically students with disabilities, in CS learning.
The first course of this series will be available this month in our K-8 micro-credential program:
Empowering All Students in CS Learning through a Behavioral Approach: Considerations and Practical Strategies.
Registration will open on 3/18.
Course Hours / Act 48: 4 Hours
The course is designed to provide educators with a foundational, inclusive behavioral mindset to approach learning in the CS classroom. Participants in the course will self-assess and honestly reflect on implicit biases towards people with disabilities and concerning behavior. The course is designed to introduce behavioral principles and practical strategies to consider when planning CS learning experiences for all learners. Educators will have the opportunity to self-assess and explore resources to create clear behavioral expectations to encourage engagement in CS activities.
Opportunities and Resources
PAsmart Listening Sessions
PDE and PaTTAN are collaborating with the American Institutes of Research (AIR) to learn from Pennsylvanians’ experience with computer science education. AIR research professionals will facilitate virtual listening sessions (45-60 minutes) that will build on the PAsmart focus groups held in November 2023 – January 2024. Participants will receive a $40 electronic gift card after completing the listening session.
Who can participate? We want to hear from students*, parents, educators, and administrators from across the Commonwealth.
Submit an interest form to participate in a listening session.
*7-12 grade students must have a parent/guardian submit the interest form.
Tech Kids Unlimited: Introduction to Drones
Are your students engaging with drones? Do your students understand the current and future career opportunities for drone pilots?
We’re so excited to share this free opportunity for any high school students interested in learning what it takes to become a drone pilot!
This is an 8-session program for all students ages 14-24. No prior experience is required. The program will cover rules and regulations, how to navigate the sky, and everything to prepare for drone missions. The sessions will take place virtually on the following Wednesday’s from 5:00 - 6:30 PM ET: April 3, 10, 17, & May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
Please click the below link to register for the free program on their website:
CSinPA Virtual Community: Post-Secondary Perspectives
Exciting news from the CSinPA team! We're bringing back our Post-Secondary Perspectives program for the CSinPA Community of Practice and are on the lookout for enthusiastic post-secondary students.
Participants will facilitate informal discussion in the CSinPA virtual community over a one-week period, and will be paid a stipend of $100. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. If you're interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your application here.
Don't miss your chance to be a part of our dynamic team and make a meaningful impact on the CSinPA virtual community!
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