Resources

 The CSLearning AID Checklist is a practical tool to help educators, curriculum developers, and reviewers analyze lesson plans with a focus on accessibility, inclusion, and equity in computer science education. Developed by the Northern Lights Collaborative for Computing Education through an iterative co-design process with teachers, curriculum experts, and evaluators, the checklist reflects both research rigor and classroom realities. The resource includes 45 criteria organized into five categories (Composition, Student Learning, Assessment, Inclusion, and Digital Accessibility) and can typically be applied to a lesson in under 30 minutes. We invite you to download the checklist and use it to strengthen computer science learning experiences for all students.

Read the Report

As part of our K12 CS Pathways project, Minnesota schools who had computer science offerings were interviewed about how they were developed, what they included, and advice for other schools. The following three two page briefs were created to help Minnesota school districts add computer science to all levels - elementary, middle, and high school.

• CS in Elementary School
• CS in Middle School
• CS in High School

There are many talented Indigenous computer scientists who are from or live in Minnesota and the surrounding midwest region. This poster collection includes nine Natives who use computer science to express themselves and solve problems in their communities. From making AI resilient to hackers, designing Indigenous data experiences, creating multimedia art installations, to students earning degrees in computer science, these Natives are making a difference. We invite you to download the posters and share them with students and others. Note: CSTA and CSEdWeek have additional posters available as part of their CS Heroes campaign and ways to use them in CS teaching.

Download the Posters

Special community or family events can be great ways to build interest in your computer science program and get others involved. There are many factors to consider when planning for a special event, which may feel overwhelming and act as a barrier to hosting a computer science related event for your community. The Northern Lights Collaborative for Computing Education has put together a resource to help work through the planning process for a computer science night. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it was compiled through discussions with various schools and districts who have experience hosting similar events. Use this resource as a way to get started planning for your event, and feel free to reach out to [email protected] if you have any questions or could use any support!

Download the Guide

This 5-day unit explores Ojibwe and Dakota constellations visible in the night sky and how they change between spring and summer seasons. Students explore how the Earth's orbital motion affects what constellations can be seen in the northern hemisphere while learning about stories and values important in Ojibwe and Dakota culture. In lessons 1 - 4, students learn about coding concepts using the Scratch programming environment to use algorithms, sequences, and abstraction to modify and design programs to make their own constellations and stories. The unit is designed around 6th-grade Minnesota state standards in science, history, mathematics, and visual arts, as well as national standards from the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). Day 5 includes a summative assessment where students demonstrate their learning of unit-level learning objectives.

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This 4-day unit guides students to make predictions and understand the reciprocal relationships between corn, beans, and squash, known as Three Sisters plantings. The unit is designed around standards from grades 5 & 6 (Minnesota State Standards). This unit is designed for 45-minute classes.

Students learn about the history and cultural significance of the Three Sisters planting methods and work through lessons to understand their ecological interdependence and create customized illustrations of those plants using the Scratch coding platform. 

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This unit, designed for grades 5-7, explores the traditional practice of Iskigamizigan (Sugar Bush) and the use of micro:bits for data collection and analysis in maple sap production over 6 - 10 instructional days. Students will learn about the cultural and historical significance of maple syrup production in Native American communities, as well as the importance of good stewardship and gratitude towards the earth. Through hands-on activities, students will practice tapping trees, monitoring sap volume, boiling sap, and analyzing data to improve their sugar bush practices. They will also discuss the role of technology in modern-day sap production and reflect on the balance between tradition and innovation in preserving natural habitats. By the end of the unit, students will have a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between culture, nature, and technology, and be inspired to make positive changes in their relationship with the environment. 

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One way to incorporate computing and computer science learning into any grade is through literature. In particular, at the elementary level, books are an easy entry point to learning computing concepts and practices (such as algorithms, abstraction, persistence, tinkering, and more!) Check out the book list for recommended books and check back in the future for some lesson plans!

Access the CS Book List

Coming soon! Our team is working on a repository of K-8 CS lessons that integrate computing into core subject areas such as Science, English, Mathematics. In the meantime, please check out our curated list of curriculum (bottom of the page) as part of our K12 CS Pathways project.

InclusiveCSTeaching.org

Inclusive computer science pedagogy is a pedagogical approach that acknowledges, celebrates, and incorporates the diverse identities of students in the field of computing. These resources were designed to help teachers in supporting all students to be successful in learning computing in their classrooms.