CS 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. No computer science experience is 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 A, 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 Summer 2024. The remaining four days will be during 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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SCROLL DOWN FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
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​​This workshop is made available by the support of the CS Action Area Consortia with direct funding support from MiSTEM Network, Grand Valley State University, and the Code.org Professional Learning Program. Scholarships are made available by the MiSTEM Advisory Council Grants.

Workshop Logistics

Summer 2025:
Face-to-Face Workshop - July 28-August 1, 2025
Virtual/Async Blended Workshop Option - TBD, Summer 2025

​School Year 2025-26:
Eight afterschool or weekend follow-up modules throughout the year held virtually. Modules are approximately 2-3 hours of support.​
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For More Information about Workshop Logistics >
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How to Apply & Scholarships

All participants must apply as part of the registration process:
  • Code.org Application Page - COMING SOON >
  • Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis starting on January 2025. Click here to be notifies when application open
  • 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 - Coming Soon >
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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 at no cost
  • Awareness and strategies to recruit and foster a diverse and equitable classroom
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​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 2025-2026 school year
  • Promote diversity in classroom recruitment and enrollment
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​Program Requirements >
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Workshop Logistics

Summer Workshop

Participants will engage in high quality professional learning workshops 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. A virtual option will be made available for those that are unable to meet face-to-face.
  • Dates: Two Options for Professional Learning Workshops
    • Bay City (Face-to-face) - July 28-August1, 2025 or
    • Virtual Workshop - TBD (Not available for AP CSA)
  • Summer Workshop Include: 
    • Face-to-face Workshop: Workshop materials, lodging, breakfast/lunch meals, and swag
    • Virtual Workshop: Workshop materials, swag, and $750 stipend pending approvals ​

Academic Year Implementation Workshops

Participants will engage in four workshops throughout the school year to support implementation of AP CSA, CS Discoveries, & CS Principles. These workshops prepare educators for the upcoming curriculum in a timely fashion.
  • Dates: To be determined - Eight modules which are 2-3 hours. 
  • Workshop Locations: Virtual options over zoom
  • Workshop Includes: Workshop Materials & $600 stipend for completion of all modules pending approvals

How to Apply & Scholarships

Workshop Application - Apply starting January 2025!

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 with the Code.org course materials 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 CS Action Area has provided a pool of scholarships to be made available to Michigan educators. Scholarships will automatically be considered when educators apply the workshop. No additional scholarship application is needed. Funds for the scholarships are provided by the MiSTEM Advisory Council grants.
Application Process
  1. Teacher fills our application for the workshop. An e-mail is automatically sent to the administrator listed in the application with a form for them to complete.
  2. Administrator completes the form that was emailed.
  3. On a rolling basis, the teacher is notified if they are accepted.
Application Dates
  • January 23, 2025- Applications are open for Summer 2025 workshops
  • January 30, 2025 - Accepted applicants will be notified on a rolling basis
  • July 11, 2025 - Application deadline for Summer 2025 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 provided by the Michigan CS Action Area. 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 8 module workshops. (2) Plan to teach CS in the 2024-25 school year. (3) Schools with historically underrepresented groups (underrepresented minorities, low socioeconomic 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 (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 (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. 
AP Computer Science A (9-12)
Recommended for any high school student who wishes to continue their computer science education after completing an introductory course, such as CS Principles or CS Discoveries. Introduces students to software engineering and object-oriented design while learning the Java programming language.

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 2024-25 school year
  • Teach students between 6th and 10th grade (CS Discoveries curriculum)*
  • Teach students between 9th and 12th grade (CS Principles curriculum)*
  • Teach students between 9th and 12th grade (AP CS A Curriculum)*
  • Plan to teach part of the course in the 2024-25 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.

Applications Are Available!

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Michigan Code.org professional learning, please reach out to our program managers. 
Larry Wyn - Program Manager - [email protected]
Kathy Surd - Applications Manager - [email protected]
Margaret Lafata - Program Specialist - [email protected]