In June I had the opportunity to attend EdCamp Code at the Friday Institute in Wake County. As the magnet coordinator for a gifted and talented magnet elementary school, I am constantly trying to find new ways to help teachers update our elective offerings. We have offered computer coding and robotics
It is no secret there is a growing gap between the number of STEM jobs available and the number of workers qualified to fill them. Of even greater concern is the disproportional diversity of individuals in STEM careers compared to the general population. Organizations like Change the Equation and the Department of
We recently had the pleasure of conducting a workshop at the North Carolina Reading Association Conference in Raleigh, NC. Following the release of our latest app, CodeSnaps, we demonstrated how to incorporate coding and robotics into K-5 ELA instruction. Reading teachers from across North Carolina attended the workshop and brought
When Andy Williams first sang "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," I don't think he had visions of Computer Science Education Week and millions of students completing an Hour of Code. He may not even have known that this "time of the year" includes Grace Hopper's birthday. But what a
This week volunteers around the world, including many from SAS, are entering classrooms to lead an Hour of Code. Guiding a class full of eager students through that hour code activity is an awesome experience. It's also fairly easy, requiring no--or very little--expertise because of the vast number of readily available resources designed
Some people think that K-12 computer science requires a large budget, a classroom full of tablets and robots, and an experienced tech teacher. We are pleased to dispel those myths--and introduce you to CodeSnaps! CodeSnaps is a collaborative coding environment requiring only one iPad and one robot. The app takes
STEM, you’ve heard the acronym before, right? Well, in case you've been hibernating, STEM refers to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; schools have promoted it for years. And every year SAS partners with a local middle school, sending out volunteers who inspire students to consider STEM careers. This year many of
Activities that leave classrooms full of students hungry for more are every teacher's dream. The Hour of Code again and again produces stories of engaged students, not just focused on but delighted in their work. The Hour of Code calls for critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills to
Hi, my name is Jen. I'm a computer scientist. I love my job! Computer science often gets portrayed as a group of nerdy guys sitting in front of a computer, coding. Now, if I'm honest, that is pretty much what my high school computer science class looked like, but the similarities
Computer science is everywhere, and its prominence is growing as our economy depends more and more on technology. Computers and technology are, by all measures, booming industries whose influence will only increase in the years to come. So you may wonder, if computer science is at the heart of all
