Here are a few important things we wanted to share with you!
From your Board: April Meeting and a New Bank Note!
Happy Spring! The weather gets warmer, there is sleet in the forecast for later this week, and weather in New England is just as predictable as this school year. What is consistent is that CSTA CT is here to support and help you! We are two weeks away from our next meeting, so mark your calendar, find a cookie to share, and read on about the newest bank note!
In this Bulletin: April Meeting + How you can get involved.
Joining us for this month's meeting will be June Mark.
June will be presenting about Math+C and the Beauty and Joy of Computing. With her partnership with the Education Development Center, she is passionate about computer science education, access, and ensuring that all voices are heard.
June Mark, an expert in mathematics and computer science (CS) education, is dedicated to ensuring all students receive high-quality mathematics and CS learning that prepares them for college and careers. Her innovative educational research and development (R&D) supports teachers in removing obstacles to STEM learning for students from groups that are underrepresented in the STEM workforce. She brings deep expertise in instructional design, professional development, and systems change to her R&D work.
Mark co-authored Transition to Algebra and Making Sense of Algebra, and co-designed an award-winning app (SolveMe Mobiles). With her colleagues, she leads a body of work focused on improving mathematics learning and broadening student participation in CS education.
In addition, Mark leads the Equitable Computer Science Implementation in All NYC Schools initiative and co-leads the Supporting Students in Algebra study and Math+C and Think Math+C initiatives. She is senior adviser/staff on the NYC CS4All Initiative Evaluation.
Mark holds a BS in Mathematics and BSE in Decision Sciences from the University of Pennsylvania and an EdM from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Have a wonderful widget to share with your fellow members? What about an inspiring insight? A tremendous tip? A reinvigorating resource? Add it to the Google Folder and be ready to share your ideas with fellow members!
Quinnipiac is looking for your input!
Certification Pathway Questionaire
As presented at the CT-CSTA meeting on 2/8, Quinnipiac Schools of Education and Engineering are exploring ways of supporting CT teachers as they work to get certified to teach CS. We would love it if you would take the time to complete the following survey as best you can as we start gathering data on the best ways to provide this support:
Complete this form on Computer Science Endorsement Codes here.
2021 High School Programming Competition
We are planning the 2021 Quinnipiac High School Programming Competition and we have a survey for people to fill out about days/time. The survey can be found here.
ECEP (Expanding Computer Science Education Pathways) Alliance needs your help!
This survey is designed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on CS Education in U.S. high schools. The results will be very helpful to better understand how CS programs, teachers, and students have been impacted. Please forward this to any high schools CS educators that you know.
The United Kingdom previewed the new £50 banknote this week after announcing that it would feature Alan Turing nearly two years ago. While the official release into circulation of the note will be on June 23rd to coincide with Turing's birthday, the image has been shared with the public and features multiple references to Turing's work.
"Alan Turing was a gay man, whose transformational work in the fields of computer science, codebreaking, and developmental biology, was still not enough to spare him the appalling treatment to which he was subjected," [Andrew] Bailey said. "By placing him on this new £50 banknote, we celebrate him for his achievements, and the values he symbolises, for which we can all be very proud."
This new note is also not paper-based, but made of a more durable polymer. The choice for Turing came after the UK put out a public request for scientists they would like to see featured on their newest banknote, and after nearly a quarter of a million responses, the a 12-person shortlisted was created, with Alan Turing being the victor.
To help commemorate and acknowledge Alan Turing's inclusion and significance to code-breaking, mathematics, and computer science, the GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) released the Turing Challenge. Try it out by clicking on the button!
