December 2025 Newsletter
CSinPA
CSEdWeek is Here!
December brings one of the biggest celebrations of the year for CS education—Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 8–14)! Inside this month’s newsletter, you’ll find a special CSEdWeek Resources section full of activities, ideas, and materials to help you bring CS into your classroom.
Whether you’re trying something new or expanding what you already do, we’ve got you covered.This newsletter is filled with resources and opportunities to help you celebrate the season and keep learning going!
HOMES Science of Sight at MIU IV
Thank you to MIU IV for inviting us out to share Code Jumper with their low-vision student during their recent HOMES event! We had a great time coding and learning with touch and sound!
Shout-Outs and Celebrations
CS Heroes in the CSinPA Community of Practice
Thank you to all of the educators who took part in our Thanksgiving promotion on the Community of Practice!
These educators won CS Hero sweatshirts for sharing their CS efforts:
Chris Barnabei (Chambersburg Area SD), Alex Gibson (York County School of Technology), Sara Hricik (Northeastern York SD), Jeremiah Friday (Seneca Valley SD), Connie Horn (Reach Cyber Charter School), Laura Swick (Norwin SD), and Maureen Garda (Franklin Regional SD).
We may not have enough sweatshirts for everyone in CSinPA, but we hope you’ll join them in posting, sharing, and connecting with others!
CSEdWeek 2025
CS Powers AI Innovation
December 8-14, 2025 is CSEdWeek! Join us as we explore the resources, events, and opportunities all of our friends and partners have put together to help us expand computing education.
We are excited to hear about what you are doing in your schools to mark CSEdWeek and the first Hour of AI.
Share your ideas, opportunities, and resources in our Community of Practice.
Thank you Governor Shapiro!
We are excited to share that Governor Shapiro has made an official proclamation of CSEdWeek in Pennsylvania!
You can read the full proclamation here.
It's so valuable to know that CS education is supported at all levels in the Commonwealth. Thank you for standing behind this important work!
CSEdWeek Official Kickoff Event
CSTA is launching this year’s Computer Science Education Week (December 8–14, 2025) with a dynamic kickoff event!
They’re spotlighting how computer science fuels the innovations behind artificial intelligence. As AI reshapes our world, a strong CS foundation isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Join CSTA as they equip the next generation with the computational thinking and problem-solving skills to lead in AI development and create impactful solutions for the future.
December 8, 2025, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Hour of AI
The future won’t wait, neither should our classrooms. The Hour of AI makes it possible for any teacher, in any subject, to bring AI literacy into their lessons. One hour can inspire students to think bigger, ask bolder questions, and imagine what’s next.
The Hour of AI Activity Catalog is now live! From lessons to hands-on projects, anyone can dive into AI learning with fun, accessible experiences.
CS Learning Lab
If you haven't seen it yet, be sure to check out the CS Learning Lab! Created by our friends at PAIU, the CS Learning Lab was designed to be 5 hours of content (one hour each day over the course of 5 days) covering AI, computation thinking, cybersecurity, action planning, and sharing.
There are multiple ways to engage with each day. Be sure to check it out!
Updates on PA State Plan for K-12 CS and AI Education
Work continues on Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive State Plan for K–12 Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Education. After an initial cross-stakeholder review in October, the writing committee is preparing a second draft for public review in early 2026.
The plan outlines a five-year strategy (2026–2031) to expand and strengthen CS education statewide by broadening participation, especially for historically underrepresented groups, and establishing the structures and resources needed for long-term, sustainable implementation. Its development is guided by four principles: equity-centered, collaborative, evidence-based, and impact-driven.
Organized across seven domains (Leadership and Strategy; Data Systems; Statewide Collaboration; Standards and Curriculum; Teacher Capacity; Student Participation and Experience; and Artificial Intelligence), the plan includes recommendations supported by a rationale, goals, and explicit, actionable strategies.
At this stage, we are sharing only the rationale and recommendations.
As drafting continues, we invite anyone and everyone to review the summarized draft recommendations and share initial reactions. To help inform the next revision cycle, please share your feedback by December 20.
Professional Learning
7-12 Praxis Prep Pathway
Registration is now OPEN for the next Winter Cohort !
CSinPA’s 7–12 CS Praxis Prep Pathway available to all Pennsylvania educators looking to become CS-certified! This self-paced pathway helps educators build foundational CS knowledge, prepare for the Praxis 5652 exam, and join a growing network of CS teachers across the state.
The upcoming Spring Cohort launches January 7, 2025, with monthly sessions through June 2026.
Check out the SMORE for more information about the Winter and all upcoming 2025-26 cohorts. Registration is now open for all cohorts.
CyberBytes: November Webinar Session
Join us for the next episode of our CyberBytes webinar series! On December 4 at 3:30 PM we will focus on picking a Cybersecurity Careers: NICE Cybersecurity Career Ambassadors Program. We will explore the Cybersecurity Workforce and the skills our students need to step into one of the fastest-growing career fields in the world.
We’re excited to welcome Neferteri Strickland, the Northeast lead for the NICE Cybersecurity Career Ambassadors Community of Interest at NIST as our guest.
K-8 CS Foundational Professional Learning Pathway: Last Call!
Registration will close on 12/4 for Cohort #2 of the K-8 Computer Science Professional Learning Pathway.The Pathway is 100% Virtual and will run December 2025 - May 2026.
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.
Micro-Credential Program (New course available)
Registration is still available for the first cohort of the 2025 - 2026 School year in our Micro-credential Program.
The following courses are available:
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)
(New) Cybersecurity Frameworks and Standards: Aligning Your Curriculum with Industry Best Practices (4 hour)
Using Music to Engage Students in CS Learning (4-hour)
Empowering all students in CS Learning through a Behavioral approach (4-hour)
Data Science in K–8 Classrooms: Connecting Concepts Through Computer Science
Additionally, Introduction to CS Education (3 hours) is available on the SAS website. This is our previous foundational CSinPA: Why, What, and How, which can be accessed through the PD Center on the Standards Aligned System (SAS) website. Click the link and follow the instructions to enroll
AI Workshop Series
The CSinPA team is currently hosting a series of webinars covering all the different ways AI is impacting education. You can find the schedule of upcoming topics, along with recordings of past webinars, in this section of our Community of Practice.
Upcoming Topics
12/3 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm – Creative AI in the Classroom
12/16 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm – AI and Academic Integrity
Visit the AI in Education Webinar Series flyer for more information.
Cohort 2: FAA Part 107 Professional Learning Pathway
Registration is now open until January 6th! Cohort 2 of CSinPA’s FAA Part 107 Professional Learning Pathway will run from January 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026, equipping 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 plan aligned to CSTA, STEELS, and/or CTE standards.
Check out the SMORE flyer for more details and registration. Contact us at csforall@pattan.net if you have any questions!
Events
Shaping AI in Education: Town Halls Coming to a Location Near You in 2026!
K12 educators and administrators from across the Commonwealth are invited to join a dynamic series of AI road shows, designed to foster collaboration by sharing essential knowledge on AI's role in education while actively shaping its integration in Pennsylvania's schools.
Through informative presentations, interactive listening sessions, and pre-/post surveys, these events enable attendees to gain practical insights, contribute their valuable perspectives, concerns, and experiences with AI in classrooms and schools, and build a collective understanding of how AI can enhance teaching, learning, and equity across the Commonwealth.
Mark Your Calendars!
Information Sessions: PDE’s SAS Institute, December 7-10, 2025
Regional Town Halls: Continuing throughout Spring 2026 March through June with dates TBD
Stay tuned for more details coming soon and registration information by subscribing to the CSATS newsletter (scroll down to “sign up for updates”) or follow CSATS on their socials. LinkedIn or Twitter or Facebook
Questions? Email: jeff_remington@psu.edu
Resources & Opportunities
Student Focus Groups
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the American Institutes for Research (AIR) are conducting focus groups with middle and high school students (grades 7–12) who are enrolled in computer science (CS) courses or CS-related career and technical education (CTE) programs.
Participation will help PDE better understand how to strengthen CS and CTE learning experiences for all learners.
Please share this opportunity with students and families!
Details at a glance:
Who: Students in grades 7–12 enrolled in CS or CS-related CTE courses
What: 60-minute virtual focus group facilitated by AIR
When: Sessions scheduled this fall (families select times through the sign-up link)
Incentive: Each participating student will receive a $40 Amazon e-gift card as a thank-you
Families can learn more and sign up online.
Penn DOT Innovations Challenge
The Pennsylvania Department of Education is pleased to announce that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is launching its ninth annual Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers. The Innovations Challenge is open to all students in grades 9-12, regardless of their school’s learning model.
For this year’s challenge, students are asked to develop a concept for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in work zones to dramatically improve safety for work crews and road users. The concept must outline how PennDOT can use smarter systems to prevent crashes and protect those who are working to build a better Pennsylvania. The concept should also take into consideration cost-benefit information, statewide deployment implications, as well as public outreach.
For complete Innovations Challenge details, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/innovation and click on the PennDOT Innovations Challenge link. The submission deadline is January 30, 2026.
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