CS Bytes Spring 2023

COMPUTER SCIENCE REGIONAL COACHES

Regional Coaches Map

Pee-Dee

South-Coast Central Upstate

Benjamin Dusek Central Region

Kevin Little Pee-Dee Region

Sherri Smith Upstate Region

Matthew Neal South Coast Region

Loaner Program

The SC Department of Education has purchased several physical computing devices for use in your classroom.

To ensure all teachers have access to this technology, we request that technology loans only span two weeks.

To request a technology loan, schedule a meeting with your CS regional coach below to discuss drop-off and availability.

Loaner Items Include

Lego Spike Kits

Ozobots

Sphero Bolts

Partner Spotlight

BirdBrain Technologies Loan and Demo Programs

BirdBrain Technologies run two programs that provide access for teachers to free loans of their products, the Finch Robot (grades K-12), the Hummingbird Robotics Kit (grades 4-12), and Owlet Math Tools (grades K-5).

Links:

Finch Robot

Hummingbird Robotics Kit

Owlet Math Tools

Finch Robot Loan Program

The Finch Robot Loan Program loans out 1,000 robots to districts, schools, libraries, and other organizations across the United States. This free program is BirdBrain’s effort to reach students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to code a robot during their normal school day.

Applications for loans are collected twice per year and are evaluated based on the population served by the loan and the plan for using the robots. Loans consist of 10-15 robots, and the loan is provided for at least six weeks to participating educators. BirdBrain Technologies pays for shipping in both directions and provides free asynchronous PD, tutorials, and activities. Applications have historically had a 60-90% acceptance rate. The next application cycle opens in early May for the 2023-2024 school year - please mark your calendar and consider applying!

Robot Demo Program

If you would like to try any one of BirdBrain’s products for sixty days, you can request one from their demo program. This free program offers teachers an opportunity to get hands-on with the Finch Robot, the Hummingbird Robotics Kit, or the Owlet math manipulatives. BirdBrain Technologies has teacher resources, including asynchronous PD courses, so that you can explore the products at your own pace.

This 4-hour online PD course helps high school CS teachers introduce important cybersecurity principles in their CS classrooms. It provides full lessons with hands-on, inquiry-based activities that allow students to explore for themselves how cybersecurity works. Click Image to Register!

Time to start thinking about next year!

Register Now for 2023-2024

No cost to South Carolina Schools/Districts!

Click this Registration Link to secure your spot for the upcoming school year! PD will be offered at no cost to districts!

Learning.com is in the process of planning for the new school year and invite you to do the same. With the new digital skill and computer science content, new activities, and the acquisition of Codesters, all will want to schedule PD for their district soon to take advantage of all Learning.com has to offer.

Sign up your district and Learning.com will reach out to you to schedule your training needs. We have availability as you close out the school year, over the summer, and at the beginning of school. Back to school days fill up quickly so let’s plan early!

PD is offered as part of the Palmetto Digital Literacy Plan at no cost school districts.

Dillon Four School District Success Story

Try using Learning Blade in your Computer Science classes!

Learning Blade contains engaging online and offline resources in Computer Science that are a perfect supplement for CS courses. Hear what others are saying:

“Learning Blade is a great supplement for the concepts and standards we cover in Fundamentals of Computing. I like the engaging exercises that allow the students to design code based on the new information they have been introduced to.”

- Pamalia Schofield, Fundamentals of Computing Teacher, Kennedy Middle

“Intro. to Coding is so easy to use, it's great for e-learning days. How much easier could you make computer science for teachers?"

"I'm invested in Learning Blade. I am moving away from a focus on Code.org’s course to focus on Learning Blade to help my students’ language acquisition through the context of Computer Science."

-Weslica Johnson, ESOL/CS Teacher, Palmetto HS

- Andrew Akins, Computer Science Instructor, Anderson 1 & 2 Career & Technical Center

Student Spotlight

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Spring 2023

| Victoria Zamora

Speak a little louder. Stand tall.

These short phrases encapsulate the strength necessary to succeed in STEM as a woman. They linger in the back of my mind each time I address my team. Each time I answer a question. Each time that I give an opinion Being a woman requires extra strength, and it has been recently that I made this observation. When I talk, my voice lowers in pitch, yet raises its intensity. My muscles are tense. I command the attention of all who are in my vicinity. A stout young lady of 5 feet 2 inches has to have the boldness of a towering pillar to be seen. My opinions act similarly Earlier in my life, they crumbled at the appearance of opposing force, but now, it takes a few shoves. This strength doesn’t come easily, and it is nowhere near natural for me. Although, ambition, perseverance, and a dose of some selflove can take you relatively far.

Do you or one of your students have a story to tell about their journey in computer science? Email csforsc@ed.sc.gov

Where do I find my strength?

One of my favorite experiences thus far in STEM was attending a program with all girls at the University of Texas at Austin. Talking with other girls about our collective experiences working in various facets of STEM was fascinating. We were humorous and full of ambition. Working with girls was liberating. We all yearned for support, and support we did. I learned about leadership and took those skills with me. The project we created as a team was significant in the way it symbolized our love for STEM.

Less recently, I took my first computer science course, AP Computer Science Principles, during my freshman year of high school. Of course, knowing my luck, this had to be towards the peak of the pandemic. Our school adopted a hybrid schedule (rightfully so), and we spent more than half of our school time not physically in the school building Aside from my inability to go back to sleep early in the morning, my interest in CS fought off morning drowsiness and grew with each day. I cannot confidently say that the course taught me much about the details of computer science itself, but I learned about what it truly meant to be a computer scientist; moving forward even when there seems to be no end in sight. My final project was littered with moments of uncertainty and blind tenacity. Every change to every line of code brought me closer to both success and breakdown.

One of my favorite experiences thus far in STEM was attending a program with all girls at the University of Texas at Austin. Talking with other girls about our collective experiences working in various facets of STEM was fascinating We were humorous and full of ambition. Working with girls was liberating. We all yearned for support, and support we did. I learned about leadership and took those skills with me. The project we created as a team was significant in the way it symbolized our love for STEM.

That is, until I made it to the end. I spent days venting to my parents about the project. My teacher and I vigorously sought out solutions In a brief moment of revelation, it all ended. Stress was replaced by euphoric pride. Within the span of a semester, I had seen all that computer science had to offer; creativity, struggle, victory. It unearthed strength that was always inside of me, but I could not have found that strength on my own.

Thank you, Mom, Dad, and Shaniya. I understand that none of you are computer scientists, and most of what I say probably sounds like a dead language. Thank you for sticking with me during the process of developing my abilities as a programmer. I love and appreciate you all.

Thank you, Jack. Today, I feel your love in every text that checks up on me during a lengthy robotics meeting You’re always by my side when I need you You luminate my life, and I love you. Thank you, Wren. You were one of the only girls in our class, and I am glad we became friends and teammates. Continue being your jovial self.

Thank you, Connell. I didn’t know you at the time, but you were busy making a mark on robotics that inspires me to match your sheer intellect. You have contributed to a space where your succeeding programming captain will be a girl.

Thank you, Mr. Neal. I have a feeling that I didn’t always take your guidance, but I’m sure it stimulated my thought-process anyway. You always believed in me and have lifted me to greater opportunities. Your dedication to STEM education is crucial to the future of South Carolina’s students.

Regional Specific Information

We are currently scheduling in person professional development sessions for the 2023-24 School year. Please reach out to your regional coach for scheduling for your school or district, by May 26, 2023.

Topics include: Foundational CS, K-5 Computer Science, Intro to Block Based-Coding, Computer Science Unplugged, Counselors for Computing, Administrators for Computing, Game Design, Computer Science Coaching, 6-8 Computer Science Integration, Emerging Tech and much more!

Upstate Region

We had an amazing professional development session in February 2023! With over fifty educators in attendance, we explored computational thinking, the CS Coaching Toolkit, and available resources for teachers and students. In addition, we heard from our regional career specialists, Marla Cobb with TCTC shared information about dual enrollment, and Heather Dickerson, Anderson 3, talked about her role and CSTA. Finally, Jenny Gregory with Learning Blade provided the group with a presentation about careers & Intro to Coding Lessons. It was a great opportunity for educators to network, share ideas, and learn about current computer science initiatives!

Helpful Information

Helpful Resources

Required Credentials

Computer Science

Standards (K-8 and 9-12)

Activity Coding System for the Student Information System 2021-2022

CTE Completer Programs

Computer Science Is changing everything South Carolina Computer Science Hub

Tell Us Something Good

Are you a teacher or district doing phenomenal work in CS? We want to highlight you in upcoming newsletters. Please be sure to let us know using the link below or scanning the qr code.

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SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

9-12

For more information about the South Carolina Computer Science Initiative, please contact

General Inquiry

csforsc@ed.sc.gov

Upstate CS Regional CoachSherri Smith, shlsmith@ed.sc.gov

Central CS Regional CoachBenjamin Dusek, Bwdusek@ed.sc.gov v

Pee Dee CS Regional CoachKevin Little, Kllittle@ed.sc.gov

South Coast CS Regional CoachMatthew Neal , Mhneal@ed.sc.gov

Educational AssociateAndrew Cook, Acook@ed.sc.gov

Computer Science State SupervisorDominick Sanders, Dsanders@ed.sc.gov

Information Technology