CSTA-Arizona Newsletter

Summer 2022
 
 
Summer is here! Looking for a way to stay connected with other CS educators and expand your computer science knowledge? Consider attending one of our CSPDWeek strands this summer! This free event will be held in-person at Xavier College Prep from June 20th - 24th with several opportunities to meet the needs of K-12 educators!
 
Registration is still open, especially for new CS teachers who may be starting in the '22-23 school year! 
 
We encourage folks to register! Travel scholarships are available for folks who live more than 50 miles away from the venue!
CS in Elementary Classrooms
This 5-day workshop includes two days of training on Code.org's CS Fundamentals curriculum, then two days of training on Scratch Jr and Scratch, and then a final workshop focusing on how unplugged activities can build computational thinking. Not all computer science needs to be done on a device!
Integrated Computing through Robotics
This workshop combines physical Edison robots with literature and STEM applications via the Wild Robot book series. Edison robots are little robots with lots of potential - from pre-programmed barcodes to drag and drop graphical programming and Scratch. 
 
This workshop is designed for core-content or instructional specialists who are primarily integrating computer science into other subject areas or do not have a dedicated computer science class. Each participant will receive a kit with all robotics and materials necessary to participate in the workshop.
Physical Computing and Game-Based Learning
Explore how physical computing with Micro:bit and MakeCode Arcade can develop student creativity and unlock powerful engagement with computer science. Participants will learn how to program these devices, as well as different curricula that can be used to incorporate these devices into semester or year-long dedicated computer science courses.
 
This workshop is designed for teachers with dedicated time for computer science, either as a special elective class or dedicated semester or year-long class. Each participant will obtain a kit with all devices and materials necessary to participate in the workshop.
Data Science
What factors make some people live longer than others? Are more expensive restaurants really better than cheap ones? Who’s the greatest singer, athlete or actor of all time? Answering these questions involves analyzing large datasets, from sports stats to record sales to census information.
 
In Bootstrap:Data Science, students form their own questions about the world around them, analyze data using multiple methods, and write a research paper about their findings. This flexible and adaptable curriculum can be integrated into core subject areas by non-computer science teachers, taught as a stand-alone module in a larger computer science course, or developed into a semester-long or year-long curriculum.
Code.org CS Discoveries
Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 6 - 10th grade students. Mapped to CTSA standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem solving, programming, physical computing, user centered design, and data, while inspiring students as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems.

CS Discoveries can be flexibly taught as a single semester, two semesters over multiple years, or as a full-year course. Options are even available for less than one semester. Our curriculum is available at no cost for anyone, anywhere to teach.
Code.org CS Principles
Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. More than a traditional introduction to programming, it is a rigorous, engaging, and approachable course that explores many of the foundational ideas of computing so all students understand how these concepts are transforming the world we live in.

This year-long course can be taught as an introductory course and as an AP course - no prerequisites required for students or for teachers new to computer science! In addition, our curriculum is available at no cost for anyone, anywhere to teach. And, professional learning opportunities are available!
Code.org AP CSA
Code.org’s CSA curriculum covers this content and prepares students for the AP® CSA exam. We developed this curriculum with equity in mind, which we believe will make this course more accessible for students who have traditionally been underrepresented in computer science, particularly those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups and young women.
 
In addition, the course introduces software engineering concepts and practices to give students a more concrete understanding of how their learning is applied in the real world.