Teachers love our professional learning
You don’t have to be a software developer to teach computer science! Our intensive and highly supportive summer professional learning programs are designed to prepare any educator to provide high-quality computer science instruction. Our programs will also support you throughout the academic year as you teach, engage, and empower your students to explore computer science. Over the past four years, we have provided professional learning for over 1,000 educators in Alaska.
- Apply for our inspiring, high-quality professional development workshops with experienced facilitators. Applications open!
- The professional learning begins with a 5-day workshop next summer. The summer workshop will prepare you to teach computer science in SY23/24.
- We will have a number of scholarships available for secondary teachers in Alaska; most educators will be able to attend at no cost.
- Our professional learning program also includes additional support sessions throughout the following school year to ensure your success.
What are my professional learning options?
Our professional learning programs are designed to prepare educators to provide high quality computer science instruction.
| Workshop | Date and Location | Application Link |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Discoveries | June 26-30, Anchorage, In Person | Apply |
| Computer Science Discoveries | July 10-14, Virtual, Online | Apply |
| Computer Science Principles | July 24-28, Anchorage, In Person | Apply |
| CS-A | July 24-28, Anchorage, In Person | Apply |
The Computer Science Discoveries (CSD) program (6th-10th grade)
Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 6 – 10th-grade students. Mapped to CTSA standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem-solving, programming, physical computing, user-centered design, and data, while inspiring students as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems.
- Five-day summer workshop.
- Two choices for the summer workshop: In person, in Anchorage, June 26-June 30; or a virtual workshop online July 10-14.
- Four-day virtual academic year workshops to support you as you teach the class the following year.
- CS Discoveries Overview
- CS Discoveries Course
- CS Discoveries Curriculum Guide
The Computer Science Principles (CSD) program (9th-12th grade)
Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. More than a traditional introduction to programming, it is a rigorous, engaging, and approachable course that explores many of the foundational ideas of computing so all students understand how these concepts are transforming the world we live in.
- Five-day summer workshop
- Four-day virtual academic year workshops
- CS Principles Overview
- CS Principles Course
- CS Principles Curriculum Guide
The Computer Science A program (10th-12th grade)
Code.org’s Computer Science A (CSA) curriculum is a full-year, rigorous curriculum that introduces students to software engineering, and object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language in this new curriculum for AP® Computer Science A (AP® CSA). This course features:
- Culturally responsive pedagogy
- Real-world problem investigation
- Explainer videos with diverse presenters
- Java Lab – a web-based Java programming environment
- Open-ended projects for more personalized learning
- Student friendly code review tool
This curriculum covers a broad range of topics, including the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems.
- Five-day, in-person summer workshop
- Virtual academic year workshops
- CSA Overview
- CSA Course
How much will the workshops cost?
Scholarships are available to support professional learning for 6-12th grade teachers! Do you teach in a high-needs school or a school with a diverse student population? Is funding for computer science limited in your district? Our Code.org CSD, CSP AP, and CSA AP professional learning programs are offered at reduced or no cost to most teachers accepted into the program. Scholarship requirements include that you will be teaching the course during the upcoming school year.
If you don’t meet the scholarship requirements, we can offer this professional learning opportunity at the reduced cost of $900 for the 9 days of training, free curriculum, and support.
What does the application process entail?
Applying is easy and only takes about 10 minutes! Once your application is complete, you can expect to hear from Alaska Staff Development Network with your acceptance decision within 2-3 weeks. If you are accepted into the Professional Learning program, you are encouraged to register within two weeks to secure your spot.
Is Code.org free?
The curriculum, online student learning platform, and access to support from the teacher and Code.org community are available to all schools year-round, free of charge.
If an intensive workshop is not the right fit, check out the new Computer Science Connections (K-12) curriculum.
- Our newest curriculum makes the connections between learning computer science and other subjects like math, language arts, science, and social studies.
- Through CS Connections, K-12 classrooms explore their usual subjects in exciting new ways!
- They’re perfect for teachers who’d like to incorporate computer science into their lesson plans for other subjects, as well as CS educators who want to reinforce what students are learning in other subjects.
- No professional learning workshops are scheduled yet, but the free curricula is available to you.