December 2024 Newsletter

It's always hard to decide what to do between breaks. CSEdWeek is December 9-15. This might be the perfect time to try out that new CS activity you've been thinking about!

Looking for a fun and accessible way to celebrate Hour of Code? Join Mary as she guides you through the basics of programming using the Quorum language.

Why Quorum?

• Designed for Everyone: Quorum is specifically designed to be accessible to people with visual impairments, making it a great choice for learners of all abilities.

• Beginner-Friendly: No prior coding experience? No problem! Mary's easy-to-follow video tutorials will help you get started.

• Engaging and Fun: Learn to create games, animations, and more with Quorum's intuitive interface.

Learn more about Quorum here.

We are quickly approaching the CSforAllPA Summit on December 11th-12th. 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! Check out the SMORE for more details, including registration and applying for financial assistance.

Registration is now open for our Spring cohort of the K-8 Computer Science Professional Learning Pathway.The Pathway is 100% Virtual and will run January 16- June 15, 2025.

The Pathway is provided at no cost, and Act 48 credit is available. Participants are also eligible to receive a $350 stipend if they successfully complete and submit all program expectations and deliverables. Click here to learn more about the pathway and register!

This pathway is open to all K–8 educators interested in integrating computer science into their curriculum. Participants will explore effective teaching strategies while delving into the fundamentals of computer science concepts and practices. Throughout the program, they will set goals to expand access to computer science education for their students and implement a small-scale pilot project.

PaTTAN will be hosting Virtual Statewide SCRIPT workshops! Check out the SMORE for more details. Due to our virtual setting, we have a limited amount of seats available for LEAs. It will be first come, first serve. There is no cost to attend and Act 48 will be awarded to all participants.

Our “First Time SCRIPT Workshop” will split into two half days so LEAs must attend both days to complete the full workshop.

• Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

• Friday, January 31, 2025 from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Our “Annual SCRIPT Workshop” will be held for LEA teams to update their previously created collaboration doc.

• Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

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.

Our new workshop series for 2024-2025 offers expert guidance and support to help you succeed. Whether you're just starting your journey or need a final boost, these sessions will cover essential topics and provide valuable practice. Join us for four full-day workshops on key code-based concepts, earn 6 Act 48 credits per session, and benefit from flexible registration options. Expert instruction and peer collaboration will help you feel confident and prepared.

All workshops take place 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (see details below).

1. November 13, 2024: Pseudocode fundamentals (variables, operators, conditionals, methods, parameters)

2. January 22, 2025: Loops and recursion and Practice Exam review(Registration closes 1/19)

3. February 19, 2025: Arrays, 1D and 2D, and data structures (Registration closes 2/16)

4. May 21, 2025: Object-oriented programming, order of magnitude, searching and sorting and Practice Exam review (Registration closes 5/18)

Registration is open and all information can be found at this link.

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 by January 30, 2025.

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)

COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WEEK (December 9 - 15) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. And it's the perfect opportunity to take part in Hour of Code!

Learn more about CSEdWeek at csedweek.org

Visit our Community of Practice to tell us about how you will be celebrating CSEdWeek this year!

Calling all Cybersecurity K-12 educators! Are you an educator who supports innovative cybersecurity curriculum efforts? Do you know an incredible cybersecurity teacher? Help celebrate visionary educators by sharing this award opportunity with a colleague or applying for the honor yourself!

Four winners will receive a Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Palo Alto Networks sponsored Travel Grant to include full reimbursement for airfare, hotel, and free registration for CYBER.ORG’s EdCon 25 on June 16-18, 2025, at the Loews Chicago O'Hare in Rosemont, IL. Winners will also receive a technology prize package sponsored by Palo Alto Networks. In addition to the grant and prize package, winners will have the opportunity to meet CYBER.ORG and CISA administrators and present to a national audience at EdCon 25.

For more details and to submit your application by December 6th, visit Educator Awards | Cyber.org

Our library of Pop-Up Practices continues to grow!

Check out the new additions from the past month

Check out the CS and STEELS: Stronger Together Pop-Up Practice to learn how to integrate the STEELS standards into your CS work!

And be sure to explore the CS & STEELS crosswalk

How do you go beyond just making CS "available" to all students?

Dig into access & participation in CS with some quick ideas in this Pop-Up Practice!

Keep a lookout for more Pop-Up Practices videos coming soon!

December and January releases will include videos on:

• AI for Teaching and Learning - Part 3: AI for Special Education

• 7-12 CS certification

• Drones

• CSinPA Community of Practice

• Counselors in PA

Join our Community of Practice to learn about new Pop-Up Practices as soon as they are released!

Access previous editions of the CSinPA newsletter.

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