Celebrating Computer Science Education Week 2021
by Infosys Foundation USA | December 05, 2021
Today marks the launch of the 12th Annual Computer Science Education Week. This year’s theme is #CSEverywhere. Infosys Foundation USA is excited to share an exciting week of activities: the launch of new CS and maker education courses on our K12 digital learning platform; student-focused coding activities and educator PD; as well as a number of other exciting events. Below are the highlights!! We invite you to participate alongside us in the coming days.
Pathfinders Online Institute: New CS and Maker Ed Courses - including Free Kits and Licenses!
The Pathfinders Online Institute is a digital learning platform for K-12 teachers and students that provides access to dynamic computer science and maker ed events, courses, and professional development. Create a free account HERE to access the launch of the exciting new courses below:
Tynker Junior’s premium programming and professional development course provides K2 Teachers with access to on-demand videos and a free Tynker Junior License for up to 30 students, including much-needed teacher tools. Click here to complete the survey to secure your FREE license today. Act fast, there are only 500 licenses left!
Maker Ed’s video series, “Learning in the Making: Technology Miniseries,” invites learners to explore, play, create, discover, and ultimately make the world around them. Intended for grades 6-12, this course intentionally centers the voices and perspectives of BIPOC individuals and communities through visual storytelling. Guides are available in Spanish and English. Click here to access this course!
Black Girls CODE and GoldieBlox invite middle and high schoolers on a coding adventure in their course, “Coding Music in Python.” This multi-module course will teach Python programming language through music with EarSketch software. The best part? No student or educator coding experience is required! See the Dec. 8th Twitter Space launch info below under ‘Events’.
The Micro:bit Educational Foundation is excited to provide K5 educators with the opportunity to easily integrate CS into any elementary classroom! Learn to use MakeCode blocks to code your micro:bit and transform the physical computing device into exciting projects that your students will love! Club packs of 10 micro:bits are also available to the first 500 eligible teachers in schools receiving Title 1 funding. That is 5000 kits (!) Access your free kit here!
Elementari has launched a series of “Storytelling Through Coding” modules with live projects that serve as dynamic learning opportunities for K5 classrooms – and access to 1000 FREE 1-year licenses for K12 U.S. public or charter teachers, that can be used for up to 35 students. Sign up for one here!
The New York Academy of Sciences has launched a new course, “Building 21st Century Skills through STEM,” that offers 7 micro-credentials aligned to the Essential Skills of the NYAS STEM Education Framework. K12 educators who earn all 7 can become NYAS Certified STEM Educators! Bonus: NY State Teachers can earn CTLEs for completing all 7. Click here to access this course!
Special Events – Join Us!
On December 6th at 12pm EST, Kate Maloney (Executive Director of the Foundation) will speak about how maker education can create more equitable and inclusive pathways towards computer science engagement at the virtual Capitol Hill Maker Faire. The Foundation will join representatives from across the U.S. to celebrate the impact of the Maker Movement. This virtual event is completely free - register here!
On December 7th at 7pm EST, the National Center for Computer Science Education will launch CS4DLH at the College of St. Scholastica. CS4DLH is an initiative to help Duluth educators, students, and families learn about computer science. At this event, Mayor Emily Larson will highlight the importance of CS to the Duluth community and Minnesota Department of Education STEM/CS Specialist Sarah Carter will share updates on CS standards and integration in Minnesota. Duluth K12 elementary and middle school educators will be engage in hands-on computational thinking and computer science activities to use in their classrooms. Follow @nationalcsed on Twitter!
On December 8th at 6pm EST, NCWIT will convene a virtual panel discussion, “Broadening Participation in the Classroom: A Discussion with NCWIT National Educator Recipients” as part of their Pathfinders Online Institute course. Awardees each support the passions of 9th-12th grade female, genderqueer, and non-binary students. Click here to register for free!
On December 8th at 6pm EST, Black Girls CODE will go live on Twitter Spaces with “Coding a Song,” a celebration of their new course. This event is perfect for middle and high school aged students - no prior coding experience necessary! Follow @BlackGirlsCODE on Twitter to be notified at the event’s start.
Infosys Foundation USA acknowledges all of our partners above who are committed to bring #CEEverywhere. We are fortunate to work with each of you and wish everyone a productive and fun week bringing the excitement of computer science to our K12 community.
