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NEW! K-12 CS Plan Guidance just released!
The Iowa Department of Education just released information regarding the K-12 Computer Science plan that is required by all districts and non-public schools by July 1, 2022. The HF 2629 Guidance and an optional K-12 CS template include the legislative requirements, frequently asked questions, and an optional K-12 CS plan template for districts to use. Bring a team of teachers from your district to participate in the SCRIPT workshops offered this summer to develop your K-12 CS plan. See information below on the choice of dates.
What's happening in Keystone AEA for CS?
Now available for ALL districts/non-public schools WITH STIPENDS!
- June 2/3 or June 15/16 - SCRIPT workshops for district/non-public school teams to work on developing a K-12 Computer Science plan. District teams will meet in person, in their district, from 9-3 each day and join in virtual conversations with Keystone CS facilitators and other participating districts. Team members who are not on contract can receive a $125/day stipend for participating. Register by May 7.
- June & July - Week-long CS Principles workshop for 9-12 teachers with ongoing professional learning throughout the school year to help with implementation. Includes stipends for participating teachers. Requires implementation in 2021-22 school year.
NEW! Limited seats for CS Discoveries training for MS teachers!
- June & July - Week-long CS Discoveries workshop for 6-8 teachers with ongoing professional learning throughout the school year to help with implementation. Includes stipends for participating teachers. Requires implementation in 2021-22 school year.
Ongoing professional learning opportunities (more information is listed in the "Course opportunities" section of the teacher update):
- CS micro-credential offerings
- AEA Learning Online CS modules - limited seats remaining for MS & HS teachers to receive a stipend of $250 for completion!
If you want to participate in any of these opportunities, please contact Gertie Monat or Kelli Olson. These opportunities are being funded by the Keystone and Statewide CS team's Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund grants awarded from the Iowa Dept. of Education. Limited funding remains and will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Professional Learning Opportunities for Teachers:
Tuition-Free Computer
Science Courses for Iowa Teachers!
In collaboration with Drake University, Prairie Lakes AEA has been awarded grant funding from the Iowa Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund (CSPDIF). The grant will pay the tuition for one computer science course per participant. This grant is for any Iowa licensed educator at any level in a PreK-12 setting that intends to teach CS to their students.
If you are interested, we still have several seats available in Introduction to Computer Science, Computer Science in the Elementary Classroom, and Secondary Computer Science Methods. Register now before we run out of space (first come, first served). Participants will be responsible for purchasing any required textbooks.
The deadline to sign-up is Friday, May 14.
Click the following link for more information: Computer Science Courses
Exciting CSTA 2021 Updates!
The CSTA Virtual Conference is July 14-16, 2021. Summits happen on Saturdays periodically throughout the school year. Join us for these amazing events full of ideas and resources for teaching Computer Science K-12!
- NEW: CSTA Conference Bundles — Two new options to bundle registration for CSTA's 2021-22 Summits with your conference registration. If you are a CSTA+ member, you can register for CSTA 2021 and the summits for just $120! If you aren't a CSTA+ member, we're offering a bundle that includes one year of membership and registration for CSTA 2021 along with the summits for only $170. If you haven't registered, just select the bundle you'd like to purchase. If you've already registered for CSTA 2021, you can modify your registration to take advantage of this discount! Head to CSTA website to learn more.
- NEW: CSTA Administrator Track — Bring your school's administrator for a complimentary half-day conference track with your registration. Invite your administrator to join us Thursday, July 15, 2021 from 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. ET to develop greater knowledge of effective and equitable K-12 computer science education and learn how to support teachers at the school and systems level. Learn how to add your administrator to a new or existing registration.
Cyber Education Discovery Forum
June 21 - June 23
9:00 - 4:00
- Interactive workshops during the mornings
- Workshop supplies and conference swag bags will be shipped to you ahead of the event
- Breakout sessions that explore new perspectives and resources you can immediately use
- Networking sessions with guided topics to connect you with other attendees
- Keynotes from education leaders
Only $35 for the full 3-days! Learn more here.
Creating a Spark for Artificial Intelligence
According to LinkedIn’s 2020 Emerging Jobs Report, demand for Artificial Intelligence specialists grew 74% over the last five years. The IBM AI Education experience was designed to give all educators the knowledge and confidence to bring foundational AI concepts into their K-12 classroom, regardless of their grade level or subject matter.
Nine different AI topics are offered through online modules. Watch all nine and have the opportunity to earn your IBM AI Education Badge!
- Facilitated training is composed of four 1.5 hour virtual, synchronous sessions
- Participation in the course is FREE, thanks to the partnership with mindSpark and IBM
- Iowa teacher relicensure credit and/or grad credit is available
Course Dates: June 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Virtual
Learn more here.
Python and AI Summer Learning Series
This online series is for K-12 teachers and anyone interested in bringing Python Programming and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their classrooms.
In these online meetings, you will get started with learning Python & AI and will get access to the 50-hour video-based training course, which you can do in your own free time.
The meetings will be held on June 24th, July 8th, and July 22nd at 3:30 pm CDT. If you cannot attend, a recording of the meeting will be available after. Conclusion certificates will be provided.
Intro to Programming with Scratch
- Dates: June 7-July 23, 2021
- Format: Virtual
- Credit: 1 grad credit from UNI optional - $125
This course is appropriate for teachers of all disciplines who teach 3-12th grade. Participants will learn how to use Scratch for interactive art, animated storytelling, and game development. Previous programming experience is not a requirement for this course. This course will be taught via online materials including instructional videos, guided “laboratory” activities, and programming assignments. The course will consist of six modules of instruction and require approximately 20-25 hours to complete.
Self-paced learning opportunities:
Artificial Intelligence in Education
To prepare students for the careers of today — and tomorrow — we must up our game when it comes to understanding how to explore and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education. AI should be a critical element of any STEM curriculum. After all, it’s a technology that’s already making its way to classrooms in the form of adaptive software, recommendation engines and digital assistants.
Check out the free elementary, secondary, elective, and computer science teacher resources here.
Supporting Technology Literacy K-8 with Scratch Programming
Scratch 3.0 is an excellent, free, web-based, graphical programming tool developed by MIT that supports digital age learning, the National Educational Technology Standards for Students, CSTA Computer Science Standards, and 21st Century Skills (Common Core – Technology Literacy). Course participants will learn and reflect on how Scratch supports Technology Literacy, learn the basics of using Scratch 3.0, explore the tutorials and resources available, and see examples of how students in grades K-8 can use Scratch 3.0 across the curriculum, creating and sharing interactive stories, games, and animations. Participants will create a plan and resources for introducing Scratch to students. This course is offered through AEA Learning online.
Computer Science Self-Paced Course
As computer science education expands in Iowa many educators and administrators are not sure where to start or even what computer science is, much less know our standards. When we take away the confusion, misunderstandings, and fear about the Iowa Computer Science Standards CS education becomes approachable. The modules include a variety of resources for you, the educator, and our students. It is learning at your own pace so you can get what you need. The modules can be viewed individually or together as a self-paced course for one license renewal credit.
The four content modules in this course are Understanding the What and Why of Computer Science, the K-12 Computer Science Framework, the CSTA (Iowa) Standards, and Applying and Connecting the Computer Science Standards.
Access the Elementary / Middle School (K-8) course here.
Access the Secondary (9-12) course here.
If you are not interested in licensure renewal credit, you can take each module (#1 - 4) separately for FREE.
New Computer Science micro-credential offerings
Are you interested in on-demand learning that suits your busy schedule? Then Keystone’s new micro-credentials might be for you! Check out the newest Computer Science micro-credential offerings below and others that are available here!
Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding
Hello Ruby: Adventures to the Internet
Hello Ruby: Journey Inside the Computer
Integrating AI in the K-5 Classroom
Interested in pursuing a K-12 Computer Science Endorsement?
Earn your endorsement entirely online -
New cohort beginning June 2021!
There is a growing demand for computer science courses - including advanced placement courses - across the country, and a growing demand for teachers with the knowledge to teach them. UNI's Department of Computer Science offers coursework to assist teachers in gaining this knowledge. Check out this flyer for more information. Classes begin in June of 2021 and the endorsement would be completed by the end of the fall semester 2022.
New books available in Keystone’s media collection for grades K-5:
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B 126777 Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding
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B123131 Hello Ruby: Journey Inside the Computer
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B 126778 Hello Ruby: Expeditions to the Internet
Check out the Scratch Jr lessons blended with literature (Scroll to the bottom)
Check out the KIBO robot lessons blended with literature (Scroll to the bottom)
Connect with Other Computer Science Teachers
CSTA & CSTA Iowa Chapter — csteachers.org
Facebook Group: Iowa Computer ScienceTeachers — bit.ly/IACSFB
Email list: bit.ly/IACSEducators
#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: