Professional Learning for Middle School & High School Teachers

Whether you are new to teaching computer science (CS) or have previous experience, the Code.org Professional Learning Program prepares you to teach with confidence and offers year-round support. There is no computer science experience needed! The professional learning series will allow you to explore the curriculum and learning tools, practice new teaching strategies, discuss classroom management, and be a part of a community of teachers. 

AP Computer Science Principles & Computer Science Discoveries
The workshop is a nine day professional learning series where participants from all around the state spend five consecutive days in the Summer 2021. The remaining four days will be throughout the school year in localized regions. These high-quality workshops offer year-round support for educators as they implement courses that are aligned to the Michigan Computer Science Standards. All facilitators are certified Code.org facilitators, educators, and CS experts. In addition, there are scholarships available for Michigan educators.
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​This workshop is made available by the support of the MiSTEM Network, Grand Valley State University, and Code.org Professional Learning Program. Scholarships are made available by the MiSTEM Advisory Council Grants.

Workshop Logistics

Summer 2021:
Virtual/Asynchronous Blended Workshop
Option 1 - July 19-23, 2021
Option 2 - Aug 2-6, 2021

​School Year 2021-22:
Four follow-up workshops throughout the year held virtually to support implementation.
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For More Information about Workshop Logistics >
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How to Apply & Scholarships

All participants must apply to as part of the registration process:
  • Code.org Application Page - Apply Today >
  • Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis starting on February 5th, 2021
  • By applying for the workshop, you will be considered for a full scholarship provided by the MiSTEM Advisory Council grants on behalf of the MiSTEM Network

For More Details on the Application and Cost >
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How You'll Benefit

You’ll become part of a community of teachers and gain:​
  • Teaching skills that are effective in other classes
  • Access to a cohesive set of resources and trade organization discounts
  • Awareness and strategies to recruit and foster a diverse and equitable classroom
​​What to Expect >
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What You'll Learn

You will learn to teach computer science successfully, equipped with:
  • A solid understanding of the curriculum
  • New teaching strategies and approaches to lesson planning
  • The student learning experience as they navigate course content
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​Content and Curriculum >
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Who Should Apply

Applications will be considered from middle and high school educators who:
  • Can commit to participate in at least the initial 5-day workshop 
  • Plan to teach CS in the 2020-2021 school year
  • Promote diversity in classroom recruitment and enrollment
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​Program Requirements >
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Teaching CS Virtually

You will learn strategies to teach CS in a virtual environment:
  • Modifications for virtual learning environments
  • Tools & materials for effect virtual instruction
  • Strategies for support learning in a virtual environment
Teaching CS Virtually >
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Workshop Logistics

Summer Virtual/Asynchronous Blended Workshop

Participants will engage in a high quality virtual/asynchronous professional learning during the summer. Participants will have the opportunity to dive into the curriculum, deepen their CS content knowledge, and connect with other CS educators from around the state.
  • Dates: Two Options for Virtual Summer Workshop
    • July 19-23, 2021, or
    • August 2-6, 2021
  • Summer Workshop Include: Educator Stipend, Materials, & Swag (materials mailed to participants)
    • Educators will receive a $500 stipend for participation and completion of entire summer workshop series

Quarterly Implementation Workshops

Participants will engage in four workshops throughout the school year to support implementation of CS Discoveries & CS Principles. These workshops prepare educators for the upcoming curriculum in a timely fashion.
  • Dates: To be determined
  • Workshop Locations: Zoom or Face-to-Face (TBD)
  • Workshop Includes: Educator Stipend & Materials
    • Educators will receive up to $400 stipend for participation in the quarterly academic year workshops

How to Apply & Scholarships

Workshop Application - Apply in January 2021!

All participants are required to fill out an application as part of the registration process. As part of the process, the administrator will have to sign off on the application to show that the participant will be teaching a portion of the course the following school year. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the program manager, Larry Wyn, at [email protected].
  • Application Link:  Application link is hosted on Code.org's website. Apply Today!
  • Scholarships: The MiSTEM Network has provided a pool of scholarships to be made available to Michigan educators. Scholarships will automatically be considered when educators apply to the workshop. No additional scholarship application needed. Funds for the scholarships are provided by the MiSTEM Advisory Council grants.
Application Process
  1. Educator fills our application for the workshop - Email is automatically sent to the listed principal/admin within application
  2. Principal/admin completes the form that was emailed
  3. Educator is notified if they are accepted
Application Dates
  • January 12th, 2021 - Applications are open for Summer 2021 workshops
  • Feb 5th, 2021 - Accepted applicants will be notified on a rolling basis
  • June 25th, 2021 - Application deadline for Summer 2021 workshops

Workshop Costs

As part of the registration process, all participants must fill out an application and be approved to attend the workshop. Full scholarships will be provided to many Michigan teachers through funding by the MiSTEM Network. Cost should not be a prohibiting factor, please contact the program manager, Larry Wyn, at [email protected] if you have any concerns about the cost. Scholarships are valued at $2,500. 
  • Can I expect a scholarship? Majority of participants from all around the state will be receiving full scholarships. 
  • Scholarship Considerations: Full scholarships will be considered to applications where: (1) Commitment to participate in at least the initial 5-day workshop and the 4 quarterly workshops. (2) Plan to teach CS in the 2021-22 school year. (3) Schools with historical underrepresented groups (underrepresented minorities, low social economic status, or rural areas, etc.)
 

What to Expect

Learning Objectives of the Workshop

Explore the Curriculum and Learning Tools
​Discuss classroom management and engage in new teaching strategies. Working in small groups, you'll learn new teaching skills and deepen your understanding of the curriculum content. 

Practice Classroom Teaching and Experience Student Learning
You'll engage with the curriculum both as an instructor and a learner. Becoming an active participant, you'll gain concrete insight into your students' perspective, which will aid you in creating strong lesson plans.

Collaborate and Share Knowledge with Fellow Educators
Teachers and facilitators will share their expertise and collaborate on strategies for the classroom, giving you a chance to learn from everyone in the room. Facilitators model pedagogical strategies and participants will share their own approaches by planning and delivering lessons.

Join an Active Community of CS Educators
All teachers will gain access to the Code.org forum, an online professional learning community that offers continued support with tools and content, introduces new and helpful resources for teaching the course, and provides a channel for continued community collaboration. Teachers will also gain access to Michigan Facebook groups to stay connected with local CS educators.

Content and Curriculum

Code.org provides a complete CS program combining professional learning and the K-12 curriculum, both of which consistently gets high ratings from teachers. Middle and high school teachers will be participating in the Code.org professional learning workshop for one of the course below. 
CS Discoveries (Grades 6-10)
An introductory computer science course that empowers students to create authentic artifacts and engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun.
CS Principles (Grades 9-12)
A higher level introductory course that introduces the foundational concepts of computer science while challenging students to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. Can be taught as an AP or non-AP class. 

Program Requirements

Many teachers are surprised to learn just how feasible it is to expand computer science into their schools! You do not need a fancy computer lab or previous experience teaching CS. 

We're actively looking for educators who will:
  • Engage in the professional learning program and be prepared to deliver the part of the course in the 2021-22 school year
  • Teach students between 6th and 10th grade (CS Discoveries curriculum)*
  • Teach students between 9th and 12th grade (CS Principles curriculum)*
  • Plan to teach part of the course in the 2021-22 school year
  • Support the recruitment and enrollment of a diverse group of students in the course, representative of the school's student population.
*Note that students do not need to be in a traditional classroom. We will accept educators who may teach the curriculum for summer courses, camps, clubs, pre-service courses and others.

Teaching CS Virtually

This pass year has been proven to be difficult for instructors as we navigate remote learning. Learn from experienced educators about best practices in a virtual environment and receive resources to support virtual learning. 

Code.org Tools & Resources for Remote Learning
  • Code.org provides specific modifications for all levels of the curriculum
  • Mi Code.org 

Be notified when applications go live!