Quantum computing will revolutionize the field of technology over the next decade. Weβre on a mission to ensure the next generation is prepared with the necessary quantum knowledge and skills to ensure innovation, prosperity, and social mobility for all.
Special guest host, Doctor Trudy Milburn, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Southern Connecticut State University will be speaking about the Dual Enrollment and Early College programs at SCSU. How can you onboard a class and help your students earn college credit? Find out how here!
Your Chapter in Action
H.R.3602 - Computer Science for All Act of 2021 proposes a $250,000,000 U.S. Department of Education grant program to states, local educational agencies, and eligible tribal schools to serve as models for national replication of computer science education expansion efforts. We could use the investment!
The bill has been proposed and referred to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor. In order for the Committee to act, support must be shown by a substantial number of Representatives.
Our Representatives Jahana Hayes and Jim Himes have already signed up as co-sponsors of the bill. Your Connecticut chapter is working to get our other three Congresspeople to co-sponsor the bill. We need your help!
Next week we will schedule a Zoom meeting with Rep. John Larson's education staffer. If you teach or live in Congressman Larson's district we would like you on the Zoom call. Please let us know by Friday if you can join the call.
No preparation is necessary. We do not know the day as yet. We will not meet until after the school day.
We have a preliminary conversation with Rep. DeLauro's office this week. Please also let us know if you have connections with Rep. Courtney.
Would you like to take a leadership role in our community? The Secretarial position has just become available. Typical responsibilities are sending out bulletins like this using our friendly WYSIWYG editor, composing a tweet, and keeping up on meeting notes during meetings.
It's the first step towards a larger role in your community and it looks great for Domain 4 evaluation data! Reach out to Christopher to inquire on how you can join us!
To further support our pledge to promote good teaching and equitable access of Computer Science to our state we're offering 10 Connecticut schools $100 to fund their CS ED Week programs.
CS Ed Week is December 6 - 12, 2021.
What is CS Ed Week?
CS Ed week is our special week to promote Computer Science Education across the U.S.
Itβs a great time to educate your school and your district about Computer Science Education.
Itβs a great time to connect with your school, district, town and state officials about the importance of CS Education.
How to apply: Complete the following application document and submit it via this Google Form.
To promote this in the meeting we should have members mention things that they have done in the past.
An hour of code activity after school with a pizza party and raffle prizes.
Department head PD activities for CS Ed week so they could promote CS week via their curriculum.
Turn your library into a multi-media center with awards, raffles, and technology demos!
Create a Home Room / Advisory activity with raffles for completed challenges!
π¨βπ¨βπ§βπ¦ IST Mentorship Certification PD Postponed!! π¨βπ¨βπ§βπ¦
"A plan never survives contact with the enemy" or more appropriately in 2021, "... survives contact with COVID!"
We're postponing our IST Mentorship training originally scheduled for November 2021 to March 2022. We had lots of interest for the early year PD but the move to March helps position our mentors to better assist supporting new educators when appropriate.
New Dates: March, 9, 16, 23 - 3:00pm -5:00pm
Sign up on our Event Page and remember there's a $25 stipend for those who qualify!
NEWS!
ββ Can you complete this brief form? Your peers need you! ββ
Mr. Benjamin Hensley who works with Capital Workforce Partners. The Capital Area Tech Partnership (CATP) is an industry sector partnership of 30+ tech companies in the greater Hartford area. They are currently in the process of developing an inventory of all the programs supporting STEM within the K-12 system, ranging from student career awareness to technical training.
The intended outcomes of this effort are to identify high-performing programs and assist in scaling/replicating programs to enhance and grow the overall tech talent pipeline.
They are collecting this information through a quick survey found here
π Last days for your students to apply for an NCWIT Aspirations Award π
Only a few days left to apply for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (Award for AiC)! The Award for AiC honors 9th-12th grade women, genderqueer, and non-binary students for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Now is the perfect time to apply!
π CyberStart America Cyber Security competition starts this week! π
All the new CyberStart features and updates they'll get to explore...
Investigate cyber crimes and explore 12 additional challenges in the brand new Intern base
Hack, decode, debug and program your way through over 200 challenges and puzzles
Tune in to entertaining video tutorials in the upgraded Field Manual
Compete for points with friends, classmates or club members in the new Groups feature
Be the first to hear about this year's scholarship opportunities
π» Cyber Security PD! π»
A recently funded grant will create the National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy (NCTA). NCTA will offer a12-credit hour graduate certificate to high school teachers and will include coursework on teaching cybersecurity, foundations of cybersecurity, network security, and advanced topics. Three universities (DePaul, University of Louisville, and UA Little Rock) will be offering the virtual program, with a little bit of variation depending on the university's program. The program will begin Summer 2022.
They can register to receive more information about the program here
This year our theme is all about building community, leadership, and uplifting our educators. Each meeting will have time for the Computer Science Praxis preparation, sharing out of best practices in the five TEAM modules, and more! Take a look below at a VERY brief view of what we've put together. Each meeting will also have a guest speaker, product demo, or the like.
Praxis Subject Area: Computing Systems and Networks
TEAM Module Show & Tell - Module 5 - Professional Responsibilities (Share out that cool website, PD, you've found! Self-nominate for a CT CSTA position!)
Remember, your Connecticut Computer Science Teacher's association loves you! Thanks for everything you do!