UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN OFFERS COMPUTER SCIENCE WORKSHOP FOR HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATORS
The University of Michigan will hold its fourth annual CS4HS Summer Workshop for High School Educators on Tuesday, Aug 21 and Wednesday, Aug 22. Produced in conjunction with Google, the workshop is designed to assist teachers and administrators who teach computer science or want to integrate the use of computing into their curriculum.
The workshop agenda includes hands-on technology demos, a special keynote, and a trip to Ann Arbor technology company Menlo Innovations. Sponored by Google and U-M, the workshop is offered at no cost and takes place at U-M Ann Arbor's North Campus. Attendees may qualify for SB-CEU credit.
More information: http://www.eecs.umich.edu/cse/cs_connections/cs4hs_home.html
Registration link: https://www.engin.umich.edu/form/cs4hs2012
The Michigan 2012 Tapestry Workshop
With the goal of weaving a diverse computing community, Oakland University and Michigan State University are presenting a "Tapestry Workshop" this summer for MS and HS teachers. Here are the details promised earlier in this space. The goal of this federally-funded, 2-day workshop is to help schools:
- Attract more and diverse students into your Computer Science classes;
- Influence the perceptions of students, parents, guidance counselors, administrators, and other teachers on the importance of your courses and the opportunities they provide;
- Learn about new computing research and educational resources available to you;
- Engage your students in the exciting and rewarding field of computing.
More info:
- Where: The workshop will be held on the campus of Michigan State University.
- When: Midday Wednesday, August 1st to mid-afternoon Friday, August 3rd, 2012.
- Who: Eligible applicants include Computer Science (CS) or Computer Technology (CT) teachers, Career Technical/CS Department Chairs or supervisors, School Administrators (principal, curriculum leader), and counselors.
Thanks to the National Science Foundation and the University of Virginia, the workshop will be tuition-free with lodging and meals provided. Honorariums of $1,000 will be given to attendees who complete the workshop.
To get more information and submit your application, go to: http://www.cs.virginia.edu/tapestry/
MiCSTA March 8 Business Meeting
MiCSTA held a business meeting at MACUL 2012 in Grand Rapids on March 8. We shared a 11:30am-12:30pm timeslot with SIGCS, since several of us are members of both organizations. The meeting was in the Robinson room on the concourse level of the Amway.
We considered ways of advancing computer science teaching in Michigan, discussed ideas for meetings, and had an election of officers for President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. The current officers will continue to serve this next year.
Let us all find ways to become more involved in promoting computer science education in Michigan. It is important.
Barry Webster: Scratch Purposeful/Accidental Computing Edification (SPACE)
Wednesday March 7, 2012 1:00pm - 4:30pm @ Grand Gallery E, DeVos Place (Reguires pre-registration through macul.org.)
The session discusses developing Scratch constructs and purposeful computer science (CS) activities and concepts. Included are ways to help you and your students have an enjoyable introduction to programming through Scratch, produce multimedia through programming, and experience CS concepts. We want students to identify reasons CS is important to learn, and have early and continued success with CS. The session is computing edification for middle school and high school educators (and others). Bring your own computer, with Scratch installed (scratch.mit.edu).
Rich Lamb: The Finch Robot
Our February 8, 2012 at 7pm meeting featured Rich Lamb at Cranbrook. He introduced MiCSTA members to the Finch Robot, an inexpensive robot designed for Computer Science education at Carnegie Mellon. Learn about the robot at finchrobot.com.
Questions? You can email me, bwebster, at this website.
Computer Science Education Week
December 4-10, 2011 was Computer Science Education Week. CSEdWeek.org says:
You can change the world using computing!
Computer science is key to solving our world’s most crucial problems—such as environmental sustainability, poverty, hunger, and homeland security. Computing gives you the power not only to shape your own future but also to change the world; Who knows—you could be the one to solve the greatest issue facing the world today or invent the next great innovation that makes the world a better place.
Computing is Everywhere!
From art to architecture, education to the environment, healthcare to human rights, and politics to public safety—there’s an exciting and rewarding career underpinned by computing waiting for you!
See also CSEdWeek.org.
Scratch Your Way into (Fun) Programming
Scratch Your Way Into (Fun) Programming was presented the afternoon of March 17, 2011 to an interesting group of educators teaching at various levels from lower elementary all the way through college. Interested persons can download the pdf (2.2MB) or the keynote (7.8MB) versions of the information.
Business Meeting: Thursday, March 17, 2011
The March MiCSTA meeting was a business meeting at MACUL 2011 in Detroit. We shared the noon timeslot with SIGCS, since several of us are members of both organizations.
We talked about accomplishments (meetings) of the past year and ideas and aspirations for the next year. We considered working with SIGCS to offer programs in different parts of the state, perhaps python. We shared ideas for expanding our membership.
Members were asked to consider being officers; a new member said maybe next year. It was moved, seconded, and voted to keep the same officers as last year. The meeting was adjourned.
Cryptography: Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Cryptography was the topic of the MiCSTA meeting on Tuesday, February 8 at 7pm at Troy High (at 4777 Northfield Pkwy, just south of Long Lake between Crooks and Coolidge. Enter lot off Northfield Pkwy and take quick left to parking lot by main office. Enter main doors, take stairs down to first floor and follow the signs to room 125).
James H Wong and partner Lisa Younger of LogicalAnswers in Troy spoke. He offered us complementary 5-user DocuArmor software. If we provide the names and e-mails of five users, he would pre-generate the unique encryption key pairs and make the customized software available for download from their website, www.logicalanswers.com. In addition, each licensed app would include a "Group Key Pair" that would allow the encryption of a file to be decipherable by all members sharing the Group Key Pair. The software works on Windows. He had information and slides usable in CS classes.
CSTA
The Computer Science Teachers Association website is at csta.acm.org, with lots of information and reasons to join. To become an individual member, click the Join now - it's FREE link at the upper right, the Individual Membership link, then the Join as an Individual Member link at the bottom of the page.
Become a MiCSTA Member!
CSTA members can become MiCSTA members. Just send an email with your name, school, and phone number to bwebster [at] barrywebster [dot] com.
MiCSTA Origin
A group of interested Computer Science teachers met in Grand Rapids March 11, 2010 and decided to form MiCSTA, the Michigan Computer Science Teachers Association. Notes on WEBster blog.
Word of CSTA Executive Committee approval came May 14, 2010, as blogged. MiCSTA is official!
Last modified 5/18/12 by B L Webster. © 2012 by B L Webster.