Bringing Computer Science to Life: Integrating CS into K-12 Education

Join us for a 3-day workshop focused on Computer Science education. Educators will learn about cutting-edge topics in computer science and explore hands-on activities and projects that can be implemented in the classroom. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of computer science education, the ability to integrate AI and other emerging technologies into their curriculum, and the tools to engage their students in meaningful learning experiences. Don’t miss this opportunity to upgrade your computer science skills and contribute to advancing K-12 education.

This workshop is open to teachers and supporters of CS education with any level of programming skill.

Targeted Grade Levels: K-12

Google Certified Educator Level 1 Virtual Bootcamp

This Google Certified Educator Level 1 Exam Prep Virtual Bootcamp is a comprehensive training program designed to help teachers prepare for the Level 1 certification exam. The virtual bootcamp covers key topics such as using G Suite for Education, effective collaboration and communication with students and colleagues, and best practices for digital literacy and online safety. Through a series of presenter-led sparks and attendee self-guided sprints, participants will gain a deep understanding of the tools and skills needed to pass the Level 1 exam. This bootcamp also includes scenarios similar to what is found on the exam, practice questions, challenges and personalized coaching to help participants feel confident and well-prepared for the certification exam.

Targeted Grade Levels: K-16

Google Certified Educator Level 2 Virtual Bootcamp

This Google Certified Educator Level 2 Exam Prep Virtual Bootcamp is a comprehensive training program designed to help teachers prepare for the Level 2 certification exam. The virtual bootcamp covers key topics such as using G Suite for Education, effective collaboration and communication with students and colleagues, and best practices for digital literacy and online safety. Through a series of presenter-led sparks and attendee self-guided sprints, participants will gain a deep understanding of the tools and skills needed to pass the Level 2 exam. This bootcamp also includes scenarios similar to what is found on the exam, practice questions, challenges and personalized coaching to help participants feel confident and well-prepared for the certification exam.

Targeted Grade Levels: K-16

Creation in VR

Dive into the immersive world of virtual reality in this one-day workshop.  Explore user-friendly VR design techniques and tools, as you learn to craft virtual environments and interactive experiences for learners. Explore a variety of creative VR apps while gaining insights into the potential of VR technology as a creative tool.  Perfect for beginners, this hands-on workshop will empower you to begin creating in the rapidly evolving realm of virtual reality. Unleash your imagination!

Targeted Grade Levels: 6-12

Getting Creative with AI

Learn how to integrate AI tools such as ChatGPT into classroom activities, to develop engaging and creative learning experiences for students. Through practical examples and activities, you will gain an understanding of how AI works, its capabilities, and its potential impacts on our future. Educators from all subject areas and grade levels are welcome, with no prior experience with AI necessary. Develop your confidence in using AI tools, and walk away with a newfound excitement and appreciation for the potential of AI in education, as well as several practical ways you can use it immediately.

Targeted Grade Levels: 4th – 12th

VR Playground

In this 2-day workshop, you will explore the potential of virtual reality and immersive media through a variety of games and applications. The themes of the workshop will focus on empathy, exploration, creativity, and collaboration, with an emphasis on having fun and learning through play.  Headsets will be provided, and no prior experience with VR is necessary. By the end of the workshop, you will have experimented with a range of tools and techniques to create engaging and immersive learning experiences for your students. Come prepared to play!

Targeted Grade Levels: 4th-12th

Let’s make Interactive posters and games with Makey Makey

Participants will learn how to integrate Makey Makey kits with Scratch coding to create interactive posters and games. Makey Makeys are invention kits that anyone can use to create circuits with everyday objects. We will together learn how to bring the invention kit to life by integrating the core curriculum to create an avenue for extended learning and reiteration of a concept taught. We will also dive into Scratch block coding to create projects that involve students in their learning with the help of projects.

Targeted Grade Levels: 1st – 5th

The Wonders of Cardboard Construction and Prototyping

Join “The Wonders of Cardboard Construction and Prototyping” summer workshop and turn your ideas into reality! This 2-day program is packed with hands-on learning, expert instruction, and exciting projects. You’ll explore the versatility of cardboard, use prototyping tools and techniques, and create functional prototypes. Each participant will have the opportunity to build your own example board to showcase what you learn.  You’ll also collaborate with other makers, designers, and engineers. Perfect for teachers wanting to challenge themselves or their students to build better!  This is your chance to unleash your imagination and build something amazing!

Targeted Grade Levels: 2nd – 8th

Reinventing the wheel: Designing AI-proof Activities and Assessments

Creating new projects, prompts, and tasks is one of the hardest things teachers do.  With the age of AI-generated responses, teachers need to seek ways to make their prompts and projects original, authentic, skills-based, and interesting.  In this workshop you will learn to use SPITE: a tool used both by teachers to create and critique tasks and students to decode and accurately complete tasks. SPITE is a single-stop technique to revise old tasks that don’t quite work, create new tasks that are more effective assessments of skill, and teach your learners to use to make sure they interpret directions correctly!

Targeted Grade Levels: K-12

Engaging Students with Chromebooks Workshop

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, your school has invested in Chromebooks and now your students are 1:1. Are you wondering what you can do with these devices beyond automated programs, slides, word processing and assessments? In this session, learn to engage students with gamified assessment and balance paper and tech with Google Classroom rubrics. In addition, learn to build a culture of feedback to better differentiate and personalize instruction. Look at ways to design empowering learning experiences with the Chromebook camera and self-guided lessons.

Targeted Grade Levels: K-12

Applied Creativity It’s fun when stuff gets done.

This practical session will help you use all the creative energy in your classroom to efficiently accomplish your must-do teaching objectives. We will practice simple techniques and employ real projects as we move past the chaos often associated with creative thinking, and enter the “Creativity Zone” (where students are deeply engaged, actively involved, and ready to learn). 

We will also dive into a critical component of creativity that is sometimes overlooked in school: Systems Thinking. Using the humble bicycle as our model, we will explore creative ways to visualize, understand, and connect the natural and human systems around us. Systems thinking improves content mastery and promotes student-driven learning.

You can apply the methods and materials shared in this session to any subject in any grade.

Targeted Grade Levels: All grades and subject levels