March 2019
In this issue:
Computer Science (CS) Fundamentals for Grades K-5
March 30 or June 19, Oklahoma City or Tulsa
The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance is proud to partner with the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center and Code.org to host a FREE K-5 Computer Science Fundamentals professional development this spring and summer! Teachers will receive instruction from an experienced CS facilitator, which will include an intro to CS, pedagogy, overview of curriculum, and hands-on activities.
When: March 30 or June 19, 9AM-4PM (lunch provided)
Where: Oklahoma Public School Resource Center (March 30) or Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance offices (June 19)
To Register, click one of the links below:
Bootstrap CS Integration
June 10-12, Tom Love Innovation Hub, the University of Oklahoma - Norman
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is partnering with Bootstrap to equip mathematics teachers with curriculum, pedagogy, and skills to integrate Computer Science into the Pre-Algebra & Algebra 1 sequence, using free Bootstrap materials. Participants will learn, grow, have fun, and engage their students in a mathematics learning experience that connects them to the world of computer science. No previous coding experience is necessary!
As part of the free online pre-workshop and 3-day workshop, participants will:
- Participate in an immersive demonstration of the curriculum
- Learn innovative pedagogical techniques for teaching the order of operations and mathematical modeling
- Learn how the Oklahoma Math and Computer Science standards can be met through a unique programming curriculum
- Explore cutting-edge research on algebra education
- Join the next cohort of Oklahoma teachers shaping math/CS integration
- Receive ongoing support, including access to mentors after the workshop
- Receive an additional 5 hours of virtual professional training
- Receive a stipend of up to $500 at the completion of the program
Applications due April 26th. Submit your application here.
Acceptance letters will be emailed during the week of May 5th.
Infosys Summer Pathfinders Opportunity
July 14-19, Bloomington, Indiana
Infosys Foundation USA will host the Pathfinders Summer Institute 2019, an intensive week of in-person professional development in Computer Science and Making, at Indiana University Bloomington from July 14-19, 2019.
Over 700 US K-12 public school teachers will convene at #InfyPathfinders for high-quality hands-on training. Infosys Foundation USA will pay for 50 percent of all tuition, airfare, room and board for teacher participants. The other 50 percent of funds will need to be matched by schools, districts, PTAs or the donor community at DonorsChoose.org. Click here for detailed information on how the process works.
All K-12 public school teachers are invited to apply. Special consideration will be given to high-needs schools, teachers from under-represented communities, those new to teaching CS and Making, and districts demonstrating significant commitment to these subjects.
Applications due by April 15. Click here to learn more and apply.
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Exploring Computer Science CSPDWeek
July 22-26, Golden, Colorado
CSPdWeek will return to Colorado School of Mines July 22-26, 2019 in Golden, Colorado. CSPdWeek is a week-long residential professional development experience for computer science educators to support teachers and schools in offering inclusive and rigorous computer science learning opportunities. Co-located programs include Bootstrap, NCWIT’s C4C (Counselors 4 Computing), and Mobile CSP.
Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2019. Notifications of acceptance will be made by April 16, 2019. In order to confirm your registration, you must submit a signed letter of commitment from your principal within a week of your notification of acceptance. Apply here.
Participation in ECS summer PD includes a $1,000 stipend, and travel, room, and board are all provided. All costs for those teachers accepted for ECS PD will be covered by funding from the National Science Foundation, and you will not have to do any independent fundraising.
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Save the Dates and Provide Feedback: EngageOK
EngageOK is back on the road the week of July 15th. We hope to see you there! As we are developing ideas for the presentation, I want to keep you updated and involved in the process.
Right now, I am proposing a presentation on Design Thinking in the Computer Science Classroom. This presentation would describe the process of Design Thinking (Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test, Reflect) and would show the K-12 Oklahoma Computer Science Academic Standards covered by using this process. I would also provide ideas for how to implement this process into your classroom.
What are your thoughts/reactions? What's missing? What do you want/need during EngageOK? Please email me your thoughts.
Dates of EngageOK
- July 15: Woodward
- July 16: Lawton
- July 17: Durant
- July 18: Bixby
- July 23: Moore
Code.org Scholarships
Code.org wants to remind teachers that scholarships are still available for teachers to attend summer workshops to begin teaching computer science. These scholarships support local efforts dedicated to equity in computer science.
Please nominate a teacher for a scholarship to learn computer science!
Devon Energy Teacher Grant
For public school teachers, this grant supports continuing education, training, and/or professional development courses that will enhance the classroom experience of their students and foster student interest in STEM.
To find out more information, click here.
Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching
Do you, or does someone you know, incorporate math or science purposefully into their CS coursework or vice-versa? Nominate a deserving grade 7-12 mathematics or science teacher within your district to win $10,000.
Anyone – including principals, teachers, parents, students, business leaders or members of the general public – may nominate exceptional mathematics or science teachers who are currently teaching grades 7-12 for the 2018-19 award year.
Teachers may also apply directly on the PAEMST website.
Nomination Deadline: EXTENDED to April 1, 2019
Application Deadline: May 1, 2019
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 mathematics and science teaching.
The award recognizes teachers who have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Since the program’s inception, more than 4,800 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.
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TI Codes Contest
Get excited ... and get started now! Now is the time for you (or another adult sponsor) to gather a team of two to five students ages 13‒19 and get in the game.
Now open for entries, this annual competition challenges teams of students to explore STEM problem-solving, design, and coding.
All teams who enter their idea in the first round are eligible for a random-drawing prize package.
Each member of the grand prize winning team ― determined by a public vote ― will receive innovative STEM technology from Texas Instruments, and the adult sponsor will receive a $250 gift card.
The deadline to enter is 11:59 PM, March 25, 2019.
Learn more, and enter the contest here.
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 On March 7th and 8th, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) hosted a convening on computer science education for Native students.
The group discussed the inequities and unique issues that many Native students face when approaching the world of computer science: from not being able to access the internet to not being encouraged to pursue a STEM career. As a result, a minimal number of Native students are choosing STEM college and career pathways.
The group brainstormed initial action items and goals for bringing equity to Computer Science. If you would like to contribute to the effort of bringing equity to Computer Science or have an idea, please share by emailing Christine Koerner, Director of K-12 Computer Science and Secondary Mathematics.
Last week, 60 Minutes featured a story all about closing the gender gap in Computer Science. View the transcript and video here.
Online, they also included videos about learning from failure and why it is important to introduce computer science to students, especially girls, at a young age. View these two extra videos here and here.
The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance is excited to join forces with educators and CS partners to help create an Oklahoma chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). CSTA is a world-wide organization dedicated to supporting K-12 computer science education through partnerships with K-12 teachers, university faculty, industry, government, school administrators, non-profits, and parents. The creation of a CSTA chapter would give members opportunities for collaboration, professional growth and development, a supportive environment, and a voice in decision-making processes.
In order to form a chapter, we will need at least 8 CSTA members, 4 of whom are willing to serve in a leadership capacity (President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer), which includes both K-12 and university representation.
The first planning meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2nd, from 4-5:30PM in Tulsa. If you are interested in participating in this planning meeting in-person or virtually, please email Kristen Tanner, and she will provide you with additional details.
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