A SHOUT OUT TO OUR SCHOOLS!!
Fourteen districts and non-public schools registered to attend our last SCRIPT networking zoom session!! What a great turnout to get the latest on all that is happening in CS. If you missed the zoom meeting, you can watch the recording here.
How can we be better at supporting you?
Check out the link for the padlet to review the past year's offerings and give us some feedback on what you'd like us to start, stop, or keep doing next year or provide it in the Google form linked below.
Provide Feedback for next year
Upcoming Legislative Deadlines
Requirements HF 2629 established several new requirements for districts and accredited nonpublic schools regarding computer science instruction. These requirements, which are expanded on in the following sections, include:
- All public school districts and accredited nonpublic schools must develop and implement a high quality (i.e., standards-aligned) K-12 computer science plan by July 1, 2022
- Elementary schools (grades 1-6) must provide high-quality computer science instruction in at least one grade level beginning July 1, 2023
- Middle schools (grades 7-8) must provide high-quality computer science instruction in seventh or eighth grade beginning July 1, 2023
- High schools (grades 9-12) must offer at least one high-quality one-semester course beginning July 1, 2022
Read all of the guidance on the legislation here.
Computer Science Grant Opportunities Still Available!
There are many opportunities for educators to receive professional learning this summer through the AEA statewide grant! If you 'saved a spot' for one of the professional learning opportunities, be sure to register for the actual workshop dates you wish to attend. If you didn't 'save a spot', opportunities are available through a wait list on a first-come, first-serve basis. Check out the grant website for the pull-down menu of options at each level: elementary, middle school, and high school.
Elementary grant opportunities include:
- BootUp - additional seats added!
- CS Fundamentals and Deep Dive
- CS Micro-credentials (course is full)
- CS AEA Learning Online modules
MS grant opportunities include:
HS grant opportunities include:
NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS
FREE CS Courses for Licensed Teachers!
Are you a licensed teacher interested in taking a Drake Computer Science course tuition-free this Summer? Check out the course offerings below!
Course Registration information
Cybersecurity with Python & micro:bit Workshops Added Due to Popular Demand!
Parallax has opportunities for the July Educator's Workshop and recently added a second one in August. For educators who teach cybersecurity, this is a must-attend course because it uses hardware, wireless communication, and Python! The workshops are entirely free and we ship you the hardware, too.
July 25, 27, 29 Workshop registration
August 22, 24, 26 Workshop registration
$1,000 – $2,000 Stipends Available through UTeach CS
If you need College Board-endorsed professional development for AP CS Principles or AP CS A, UTeach CS has flexible options for you! During their 5-week hybrid PD, teachers meet weekly for a 2-hour online synchronous session and then complete self-paced modules throughout the week with on-demand support from PD facilitators.
Professional Development for UTeach CS Principles
(synchronous sessions on Wednesdays 5–7 pm ET)
May 25 – June 25, 2022
July 6 – August 6, 2022
August 10 – September 10, 2022
Professional Development for UTeach CS A
(synchronous sessions on Tuesdays 5–7 pm ET)
May 24 – June 24, 2022
July 5 – August 5, 2022
August 9 – September 9, 2022
Spots are filling up fast: Apply for one or both of the funding opportunities before spots fill up!
- AP CS Principles: Apply for our CSP scholarship to receive $2,800 worth of resources per teacher ($1,000 teacher stipends, free CSP licenses for 1 year, and free CSP professional development).
- AP CS A: Apply to join our AP CSA research grant to receive $4,600 worth of resources per teacher ($2,000 teacher stipends, free CSA licenses for 2 years, and free CSA professional development).
Learn more about these two funding opportunities.
Engineer for the Week (EFTW)
EFTW is a free program that introduces engineering to K-12 learners historically underrepresented in STEM. Learners build tech prototypes that address a social issue of their choice, discover that they have the power to develop solutions, and connect with Meta engineers to learn about their career journeys.
What are the new features of the program?
- Localized content: The entire program is now available in both English and Spanish.
- New Open Program model: Facilitators can join and complete the program with their learners at any time. They can submit a project on one of the three deadlines: May 31, 2022; September 30, 2022; and January 31, 2023.
- New project offering: Learners who do not have a computer or internet can now explore engineering through Products with Purpose.
- New Facilitator Portal: Educators now have a one-stop-shop to find everything they need to implement the program.
How can I join or refer someone to the program?
- If this program sounds like something you want to bring to your community, sign up here!
- If you know someone you would like to refer to the program, fill out the contact form and add their information.
- If you want to learn more about EFTW, visit the English or Spanish website.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISTRICTS
SCRIPT and CS Curriculum and PD grants are still available
Each district can apply for a grant to receive up to $50,000 for curriculum and professional development, with stipends, sub pay, and expenses included on the grant! Districts can choose from 3 different curriculum options at each grade band: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 and include related expenses, as well as stipends for teachers to attend professional development or sub fees if teachers attend during contract time.
Additionally, districts can apply to receive stipends or reimbursed substitute teachers to attend SCRIPT.
Check out both available grant opportunities in the link below:
Overview of the Grants available
What's happening in Keystone AEA for CS?
Save the date! OCT. 6, 2022
We are planning a 1/2 day workshop for district/non-public SCRIPT school teams to reconvene in the fall and go through the newly released rubric, Technology Infrastructure. This will be an opportunity for teams to self-assess the new rubric, look over goals and rewrite any new goals, and hear about current CS opportunities and grants. Your team can choose to attend from either 8:30 - 11:30 or 12:30 - 3:30.
New Items in Media library:
KM 13528 Micro:bit KM 13531 Edison Robot KM 13532 iRobot Root Robot
Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarships: Do your students know many careers in CS qualify for the Iowa Last-Dollar scholarships which will provide up to 100% of the tuition costs? For qualifying students, education costs for degrees in high-demand occupations can be completely covered.
Connect with Other Computer Science Teachers
Facebook Group: Iowa Computer ScienceTeachers
#CSforIA
Learn about the Standards
Iowa's voluntary computer science standards are the CSTA K-12 Standards, developed by the Computer Science Teachers Association. These standards are arranged in grade bands, with expectations at the K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-10, and 11-12 level.
Keystone AEA Contacts:
