Secure Your Spot: Register Today for Empower {MN:CS}

[Liz Walsh]

Hello,

We are excited to announce that registration for Empower {MN:CS}, is now officially open! This year, we are excited to offer a variety of computer science workshops for K12 educators. Below you will find important details and information on how to register. 

Dates: August 13th to August 15th
Location: Kenneth H. Keller Hall (University of Minnesota Twin Cities)
Cost: $50 (Note: Limited Travel Scholarships will be available to educators not local to the Twin Cities)

Empower {MN:CS} Workshops

• K8 Integrated Computer Science: This session is designed for K8 educators who are new to CS. In this workshop, educators will explore how to integrate computer science and computational thinking into their classrooms. Throughout the workshop, educators will explore issues of equity in CS, culturally responsive pedagogy, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles through hands-on lesson examples from a variety of grade bands and subject areas. 
• Big Book of Computing Pedagogy: This session is designed for K8 educators who have some experience teaching CS, but are looking to deepen their knowledge of CS content and pedagogy. Throughout the workshop participants will explore deeper concepts in a variety of areas in computing including computing-focused pedagogical principles from the Big Book of Computing Pedagogy. Participants will consider skill progression, platform-agnostic approaches, and how to support and challenge learners. 
• Scratch Encore: This session is designed for 4th-8th grade CS educators who are looking to support their students in developing skills beyond introductory programming. Scratch Encore is an intermediate Scratch curriculum organized into 15 modules that utilize the  Use-> Modify-> Create pedagogy to develop conceptual knowledge in students. This session will highlight key features of the curriculum and practical instructional strategies to provide gradually more complex coverage of loops, conditionals, synchronization, data, and decomposition. 
• Project GUTS: This session is designed for 6th -12th grade science and STEM educators looking to expand their computer science offerings. Participants of the workshop will explore how computer science is a tool that supports more innovative explorations of STEM concepts using modern scientific practices. Throughout the workshop, participants will be introduced to the field of computer science, explore pedagogy and curriculum, and engage in hands-on programming practice. 
• NCWIT Counselors for Computing (C4C): This session provides information and resources that help counselors join the front line of the computing conversation. In this workshop, K12 school counselors will leave this session equipped to level the playing field in computer science by spreading awareness of careers in computing and supporting the development of CS pathways in your school. You will have time to play, learn from others, and develop an action plan that you can take back to your school to expand participation in computer science.

REGISTER TODAY

Along with these fantastic workshops there will be opportunities to learn and connect with educators and individuals across the state actively working to expand computer science in Minnesota. Check out Empower {MN:CS}’s website to learn more about all of the opportunities lined up for this event.