Introduction to Computer Science and Computational Thinking
WHO: Any K-8 educator who is new to teaching computer science
FACILITATORS: Tom Cozzolino and Paul Schonfeld, Northern Lights Collaborative
The Intro to CS/CT professional development will allow educators to expand their understanding of computer science and computational thinking. Specifically, the PD will seek to build agency within educators to teach computer science and computational thinking in their classrooms. In addition, the PD will aim to increase pedagogical content knowledge by addressing issues of equity in CS and demonstrating effective CS teaching. Lastly, this PD will provide teachers with the skills to include and engage all students in computer science by utilizing culturally responsive-sustaining pedagogy and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Lessons in various grade bands and subject areas will be available for educators. Educators will also have the opportunity to customize and create their own lessons.
Teaching Debugging
WHO: Any K-12 educator who has some experience with teaching CS
FACILITATOR: David DeLiema, University of Minnesota
This workshop is for K-12 teachers and curriculum developers interested in reflecting in new ways on their approach to teaching debugging: the process of fixing broken code. Our goal in this workshop is to carve out sustained time for each attendee to think about how they approach the teaching of debugging and then envision new, ambitious pedagogies. As we work toward this goal, we will be watching naturalistic, classroom-based video recordings of conversations between teachers and students as they debug code, and using these videos to spark new reflections on how we as educators would like to approach our own debugging instruction. The goal for the workshop is for each attendee to leave with practical resources – lesson plans, pedagogical approaches, and classroom resources. In particular, we will focus on three areas that often go underexplored in discussions about computer science education: emotion during debugging, open-ended ways to fix code, and the inevitable conflicts that arise in classroom discussions around debugging. By the end of this short workshop, each teacher and/or curriculum developer will walk away with both a mandate to think about new, student-centered ways of supporting debugging in the classroom and practical resources to enact their vision.
Experience CS: A new platform for teaching computer science
WHO: Grade 3-8 teachers who integrate Computer Science
FACILITATOR: TBD, Raspberry Pi Foundation
Join us for an introduction to Experience CS, the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s new platform designed for teaching computer science in grades 3-8. This fully integrated curriculum, built around block-based programming (Scratch), is mapped to CSTA standards and supports educators with research-backed computing pedagogy and ready-to-use learning materials. Whether you’re a current Google CS First user or newer to teaching computer science, this session will provide valuable insights into the platform’s unique features. Discover how our Code Editor for Education simplifies project setup and student work review, making it easier than ever to bring computer science into your classroom.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
WHO: Grades 5-12 educators with some experience teaching CS
FACILITATOR: TBD, University of Minnesota
In this workshop, educators will learn about the five big ideas in Artificial Intelligence: 1) Perception, 2) Representation & Reasoning, 3) Learning, 4) Natural Interaction, and 5) Societal Impact. Attendees will experience and explore resources for AI curriculum to use in their classroom, including those from AI4GA, Day of AI, and other vetted sources. Discussions will include critical considerations of using AI technologies in the K-12 classroom, including data privacy considerations for students. There will also be an opportunity to explore lessons developed specifically for students in Minnesota around farming and forestry.
Introduction to Data Science with Computer Programming
WHO: Grades 9-12 educators, especially in math and computer science who are new to using programming to teach data science
FACILITATOR: Mahmoud Harding, Data Science 4 Everyone
This workshop is designed to introduce high school computer science and mathematics teachers to using computer programming as a tool for teaching data science. Through hands-on activities and guided practice, participants will learn effective strategies for teaching data science, including how to help students ask meaningful questions, explore and visualize datasets, and communicate insights using fundamental coding techniques. No prior coding experience is required. During the sessions, participants will be given opportunities to discuss ways to adapt lessons and activities to reflect locally relevant contexts in their own region. By the end of the workshop, they will leave with ready-to-use lessons and data science activities that are classroom ready.