The Computer Science Teachers Association is an organization by and for K-12 computer science educators. There are various chapters around the state, including one in Vermont. We are planning on engaging the chapter in our work going forward. We are using the CSTA standards as we address our first goal ("Determine a shared definition of Computer Science") and to inform our second goal ("Design and implement a universal K-12 CS program and additional choice-based opportunities in CS for students."). Another helpful component of CSTA is conferences, both at the national and regional level. I attended the national conference last summer as well as a "Future of CS" conference in January and Tim and I both attended a regional New England conference this past fall. The CSTA virtual conferences use the HopIn platform, which allows for keynotes, breakout sessions, vendor booths, and informal "getting to know you" meetings with other attendees (because CS teachers are often the only such person in their respective buildings, this was an effective way of building colleagueship with others in the field-- a goal of CSTA) . These conferences all had an emphasis on equity. Keynote speakers included Dr. Ruha Benjamin, Dr. Nicki Washington, Code.org founder Hadi Partovi, and Linda Liukas. We attended sessions entitled Teaching Girls to Code and Change the World, Queering CS, and Factors in Persistence in CS Careers: Learning From Young Women, among many others. We were introduced to the work of organizations seeking to make computer science more inclusive, including CSforAll, The National Center For Women In Technology, Girls Who Code, AI4All, and more.
As with any conference, there are lots of pedagogical and curricular resources that we are still sifting through. For example, a presentation by Bootstrap sparked the idea of weaving CS content into other curricular areas. Given how rapidly the world of CS changes, being introduced to the latest (and emerging) technologies is also a benefit of the conferences. If you've read this far, you might be interested in attending a conference yourself! We'd love to talk to you about that. This year's national conference will again be virtual and we're looking to assemble a group to attend. Information is here.
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May 2022
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