CS Bytes Summer 2022

s e t y B CS

Summer 2022

We hope you had a wonderful summer and are wellrested, for you deserve it, considering the number of hours you all put into our next generation. We also hope that you’ve spent enough quality time with your family and near and dear ones during the summer. This school year marks the beginning of yet another journey to educate and pour into the next generation of leaders, none of which can go on without your support. We can't wait to tell you about all the wonderful things that have been occurring with the South Carolina Computer Science Initiative .

You're Invited The South Carolina Department of Education and its partners are pleased to invite you to the South Carolina Computer Science & STEM Education Summit.

The summit, which will take place on September 18th & 19th, will feature fascinating speakers, networking opportunities, and a celebration of computer science education in South Carolina.

When: Sunday, September 18th-19th 2022 Where: The Hyatt Regency, Greenville, SC. Register Here: bit.ly/SCCSSummit

Welcome to the Team The Department of Education's Computer Science Initiative team has expanded. Four regional computer science coaches were hired in June(Sherri Smith, Update Region, Benjamin Duskek, Central Region, Kevin Little, Pee Dee Region, Matthew Neal, South Coast Region).

The designated regions' Regional Computer Science Coaches will help teachers statewide with the Computer Science Initiative for grades K–12. A few of the job responsibilities include: Collaboratively work with statewide partners to best prepare opportunities in K-12 for engagement with and preparation for experiences and jobs in computer science.

Develop online training and build teaching resources through collaborative efforts with other team members across the state.

CS Regional Coaches

Website- bit.ly/csdoe

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

Mark Your Calenders CSEdWeek: December 5 - 11, 2022

Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. More details to come in the upcoming months.

Giving his elementary school kids an exciting and influential CS experience is something that Dr. Tim Swick places a high value on. Tim, a lead teacher at Sandlapper Elementary, was given the CS Teaching Excellence Award (A National Award) for his enthusiasm for introducing CS education at the primary school level. Dr. Swick, keep up the good work

CS Video Project

We need your assistance in producing a series of videos about computer science. For our CSforSC PR film, we are searching for students, organizations, corporations, and other organizations to be a part of. The computer science efforts in South Carolina and its connections to business and industry will be highlighted in this film.

Hometown Hero- In an effort to conceptualize the phrase “ You can’t be what you can’t see,” we are looking for individuals to highlight in our hometown series. Do you know someone raised in SC and now in the tech sector? Do you know of anyone who currently resides in SC and works in the tech sector? We want to hear from them.

Please complete a form for each individual you are recommending. If you have any questions, please contact Dominick Sanders, Computer Science State Supervisor at dsanders@ed.sc.gov.

https://bit.ly/CSFORSCVideo

Partner Spotlight

A Partnership to Bring Data Science Education and Computational Thinking to Rural Elementary Students” Researchers from Clemson University’s College of Education and teachers at McKissick Academy of Science & Technology, an elementary School in the School District of Pickens County, are partnering to bring data science education to second through fifthgrade students. With support from the National Science Foundation, the partners developed a data science instructional framework to cocreate data science units where students explore, visualize, and interpret data. Each unit begins with a locally or globally relevant problem to solve, and students brainstorm and refine questions based on a dataset related to the problem. Teachers integrate Universal Design for Learning (UDL) instructional practices to make the units appealing and accessible to all students. Over 8-10 days students use Tuva (https://tuvalabs.com/) software to manipulate and visualize data and learn through unplugged activities such as creating comics, using robots or designing infographics to demonstrate their knowledge.

Cont.

Within the CT-STEM Pop-Up Framework, students use this data science cycle:

The research-practice partnership has already resulted in the creation of 10 different data science units taught in both virtual and in-person classrooms. After exploring and playing with data sets, students tell a data story about what they learned to answer questions and make decisions such as why songs make the top 20 charts, choosing the best dog for their family, using data to create a rare Pokémon card, considering why social media is popular among certain groups or using data to make nutritional decisions. The partners are in the second year of the project and have developed a mentorship model to bring new teachers and more classrooms on board. A website slated to launch in October 2022 will make the units and additional resources freely available for interested educators and community members.

For more information, contact Dr. Dani Herro at dherro@clemson.edu

Artificial Intelligence Standards Framework We are inviting you to participate in the development of South Carolina’s Secondary Artificial Intelligence Standards Framework. This framework will serve as the foundation for the future AI pathway that will be offered to South Carolina high school students. The Department of Education and SC Competes have partnered with SREB to launch this exciting work. SC Competes has initiated discussions with business and postsecondary members through the Palmetto AI Corridor Working Group to set the vision for this pathway and identify critical skills and occupations that will use AI to solve problems across industries in South Carolina.

As educators who currently teach in a related field or have expressed interest in AI, you are being asked to join in virtual sessions to advance this work. You will be working with the Palmetto AI Corridor Working Group Members to support the expansion of the curriculum outline that has been developed, specifically adding language to identify the skills and concepts that should serve as the foundation of the new Secondary AI Pathway. The set meeting schedule for the Design Team has been provided below. As you can see, the Design Team sessions have been scheduled in the afternoons to safeguard instructional time.

We welcome you to join any of the sessions that you can and ask that you register for each using the links below. We will share updates and capture the recommendations provided in each session through our Action Agenda. The Action Agenda will be shared at our first session on the 7th and will contain linked resources that will be used by the design team.

Artificial Intelligence Standards Framework Meetings Dates and Topics for the STANDARDS Design Team

September 7th—3:30-5:00 *Review of the proposed AI Standards Outline *Sharing of Key Concepts from Other States (AR, FL and GA) *Identification of next steps

September 13th—3:30-5:00 *Adding Critical Skills and Concepts to the Outline *Review of the Overall Standards Framework

September 21st—3:30-5:00 *Identification of Skills/Concepts by Course *Adding Missing Skills/Concepts

Zoom Registration Links

https://sreborg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0oce6srj4rE9fNEmc3oDJilw _DfxlZxPHH

https://sreb-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctd-grDspGtflRjZqCXgU46o4Q7G-BjuD

https://sreb-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvfyopz0uG9AKL1hnuny32Q9UPDv48lYD

FIRST Robotics Professional Development Opportunity Free 14-hour professional development is being offered at Midlands Technical College, Northeast Campus on Friday, September 23rd, and Saturday, September 24th for mentors in the following programs: FIRST LEGO League Explore (Grades 2-4) FIRST LEGO League Challenge (Grades 4-8) FIRST Tech Challenge (Grades 7-12)

This immersive learning experience will help you acquire or strengthen your facilitation skills for project-based learning and 21st-century skills (creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork) in an active learning environment. Each course is led by a FIRST Certified Trainer and provides the necessary tools to bring the FIRST program to your classroom or afterschool program. A certificate for 14 hours of continuing education or professional development credit is provided following upon completion of the entire course. Additional information and registration info can be located here.

Cyber.org Over the next few days, we’ll post our upcoming high school (and other grades, but this content specifically relates to HS instruction) professional development schedule to www.cyber.org/events that will be delivered virtually through Zoom and EventBrite. The links will be forthcoming, but here are the dates and topics: Sept 15 – CompTIA IT Fundamentals Overview Sept 22 – CompTIA Net+ Overview Sept 29 – CompTIA CySec Overview Oct 3 – Linux 101 Oct 17 – Linux 102 Oct 27 – Passwords Nov 2 – Dangers of Malicious Links Nov 7 – File Hashing Nov 29 – Backdoor Dec 8 – Web Apps Part 1 Dec 13 – Web Apps Part 2 As always, these events are free for all teachers to access.

Girls Who Code The South Carolina Department of Education is continuing to partner with Girls Who Code to offer no-cost computer science resources to our schools and libraries! We encourage you to start a free Girls Who Code Club for 3-5th or 6-12th graders. The program features: Tons of Curriculum, Training, and Support - All for FREE, No Code Experience Needed: You’ll get access to everything you need to facilitate your Club -- including training, comprehensive resources to minimize prep time, and 120+ hours of easy-to-use and flexible coding curriculum. You do NOT need any prior coding experience due to Girls Who Code's supportive resources.

Project-based Coding Curriculum with a Social Emotional Learning Focus: The 6-12th grade curriculum features self-guided coding tutorials for all skill levels, inspiring role models in tech, communitybuilding activities to increase confidence, and project-based learning.

The 3-5th grade curriculum is run as a book club model based on GWC's NY Times Bestseller, Learn to Code and Change the World. ·Free Swag: You'll receive a t-shirt, notebook, and sticker for each member of your Club once you have 3+ students enrolled! Plus, each Club will receive a $300 mini-grant from GWC. Girls-Supportive, Yet Gender Inclusive Environment: All students, regardless of gender, are welcome to join this girls-supportive environment.

Girls Who Code Cont.

To Learn More: Check out the Girls Who Code Clubs Overview Flyer or watch a 14 min pre-recorded or live webinar.

Next Steps to Access Free Curriculum: Fill out the quick 10-minute Clubs application here! Make sure to list The South Carolina Department of Education as your Community Partner on the application for exclusive benefits like additional support, extra swag, and more!

Still not sure if you want to start a Club? Keep an eye out for an invitation from your Computer Science Regional Coach to a virtual information session with a Girls Who Code representative.

Regional Specific Information

Regional Info Upstate Region Bosch Grant Up to $2,000 for STEM Projects in Anderson School Districts (1-5) and the School District of Greenville County.

Please see the link below for more information. The application deadline is Nov 6, 2022.

Home (besteachergrant.org) Learning Blade - All Regions Win a Drone Contest - In each region, a raffle will be held for schools that complete 50 Learning Blade lessons by September 30, 2022!

Needs Assessment Survey - All Regions https://forms.gle/vQNUHMDBvctBxnLz5 South Coast Region The Bosch BEST Teacher Grant applications are now open. Teachers in Charleston County, Berkeley County, Dorchester School District 2, and Dorchester School District 4 are eligible for up to $1000 (single applicant) and $2000 (group applicants) to fund STEM materials and programs in your school.

Deadline to apply is November 6th.

The Boeing DreamLearners program is back and offering both virtual and inclassroom programs that will pair you with a Boeing teammate to host and participate in STEM activities. In addition, students can take part in a virtual tour of Boeing and learn about various careers within the organization. You can peruse some of their lessons and teaching tools here.

The National Society of Black Engineers presents Stemapalooza on October 15th. Stemapalooza is the Lowcountry’s premiere STEM fair for K-12 students of color with engineers and professionals leading expos and live demos for students. The event is located at the Arthur W. Christopher Community Center in Charleston, SC and is free to the public.

Make sure to subscribe to the Stem Center at The Citadel’s newsletter to keep up to date with the latest STEM and Computer Science activities and events happening at The Citadel.

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

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.

bit.ly/csscshareout

List Serv If you haven't already, please sign up for our computer science listerv. This will keep you abreast of computer science information throughout the state.

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 9-12 Information Technology Educational AssociateAndrew Cook, Acook@ed.sc.gov Computer Science State SupervisorDominick Sanders, Dsanders@ed.sc.gov