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Aug. 20, 2020

CSTA News

Make Your Mark on CSTA 2021 Whether you prefer to be in front of the audience, or behind the scenes, it's your chance to help shape the 2021 CSTA Annual Conference! Apply to present: We're accepting submissions for a one-hour session, three-hour workshop, 20-minute mini-session, 45-minute Birds of a Feather discussion, or a poster session. Visit our website for more information on the process and to submit your application. All submissions are due by Nov. 8. Become a reviewer: We invite you to consider reviewing submissions for CSTA 2020! If you've attended or presented at a prior CSTA conference, have a connection to K–12 computer science, and are available between Nov. 23, and Dec. 17, consider volunteering your time! READ MORE

Thank You to CSTA's Board of Directors CSTA At CSTA, our Board of Directors is focused on developing a strong environment to support our members and for moving the organization forward. I'm proud to have worked alongside these board members to launch new initiatives to secure CSTA's continued success. READ MORE

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Our Newest CoDrone Family Member Coding is more fun when it flies! Learn how to program in Blockly and Python with CoDrone Mini, Robolink's newest drone. Go at your own pace with virtual 1:1 classes, or join one of our virtual group classes. CoDrone Mini also comes with standards-aligned curriculum for use in classrooms! LEARN MORE

CSTA EVENT CALENDAR

Aug. 26 CSTA+ Membership: An Inside Look MORE INFO Sept. 3 CSTA Engage MORE INFO

HEADLINES FROM THE FIELD

A plan for teaching coding and robotics from home eSchool News (commentary) Joe Slifka, a contributor for eSchool News, writes: "When our school shut down in March, initially, it was for a two-week period. I thought, 'Well, this isn't too bad, we can do a few coding activities from Code.org or maybe put together some Google Slides presentations for when we return.' Then, two weeks turned into the end of April and my plan had to change. As the technology teacher in our district, I felt I was adept at communicating with my students online (we are a Google Apps for Education school, and I've been a Google Classroom user since its beginnings), but I knew others in our district weren't quite as tech savvy." READ MORE

6 robots for the classroom, at home or at school Gearbrain Robots may not be physically replacing teachers in the classroom, but they certainly can act as conduits for learning. Robotic toys are tactile, great at getting kids to move beyond a screen, and push them to build something physical with their hands. They also can teach students about coding, as the instructions to get these devices to work require programs — which in some cases kids can write themselves. We outlined six, which can be picked up by families as well for students who will be spending the bulk of their time learning at home, again, this fall. READ MORE

Making STEM more engaging and inclusive Edutopia We have a STEM problem in the United States. Once a world leader, the United States currently ranks 27th among developed nations in the number of bachelor's degrees given in science or engineering. What's more alarming is that the same research indicates that only around 30 percent of Americans believe that our education system has the capacity to provide young people with the minimum requirements to fill these STEM jobs. READ MORE

4 components to bring more equity to STEM education in distance learning District Administration Magazine While STEM has been a part of the education landscape for decades, there are still pockets of students unable to access meaningful STEM experiences regularly. The U.S. Department of Education's STEM education plan was meant to help prepare more students for career-ready jobs in STEM fields. While students are graduating with STEM-related degrees, many lack the skills that companies desire. READ MORE

CDC updates K-12 face mask guidance, recommends plan to prevent bullying District Administration Magazine The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance concerning the use of cloth face masks in K-12 schools. To mitigate the novel coronavirus pandemic, the federal agency recommends people wear cloth face coverings, not face shields, in public settings and when around people who live outside their household, especially when social distancing is difficult to maintain. The Aug. 11 update includes a recommendation that schools have a plan in place to prevent and address harmful behavior, such as bullying, discrimination, and stigmatization resulting from wearing or not wearing masks. READ MORE

MULTIBRIEFS EXCLUSIVE For the new school year, relationships first, academic content later By Savanna Flakes As teachers, we are relationship builders, forging connections with families, integrating students’ strengths and interests into the curriculum, and creating a positive learning community between students and their classmates. We are reminded to prioritize connection, commit to building safe and positive learning environments, and celebrate students’ strengths before speaking of growth. READ MORE

How enhanced ed tech platforms address remote learning challenges eSchool News As schools and colleges across the U.S. continue to explore ways to safely bring students back to the classroom in the fall, many are looking into how they can leverage enhanced ed tech solutions to assist both in-person and remote learning scenarios — in case of another potential COVID-19 wave. With a widely-available vaccine not predicted for at least another 12 to 18 months, it is vital for educational system leaders to continue to turn to effective, advanced ed tech platforms designed to empower their educators to continue propelling students toward success while addressing the challenges of social distancing, and even future quarantines. READ MORE

11 super creative ways to use Bitmojis in your classroom We Are Teachers Bitmojis are fun, entertaining and completely educational. At least they are for these teachers, and especially during distance learning. Teachers have gotten super creative with their Bitmoji classrooms and Bitmoji lockers, but they also are using them for classroom management, virtual field trips and more! READ MORE

Computer Science Today   Connect with CSTA Dennis Hall, Director of Publishing, 469-420-2656 | Download media kit Hailey Golden, Senior Education Editor, 469-420-2630 | Contribute news Computer Science Teachers Association 200 E. Randolph St. Suite 200 | Chicago, IL 60601 | Contact Us Click here to unsubscribe. Learn how to add us to your safe sender list so our emails get to your inbox. ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE PAST ISSUES 7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX, 75063