Bit Blast! A Computer Science Periodical

Nov. 29, 2021

As the winter season approaches, the importance of gratitude always comes into focus. I’m very grateful to live in such a wonderful city and have the opportunity to support such dedicated, fabulous people in my county. Which means, I’m grateful for you!

CSEdWeek is just around the corner (Dec. 6-12) and I’ve heard from many of you about your exciting plans. We’d love to see what’s happening in your buildings and classrooms! Please use the Google Form found in the “Output” section to share what happens.

If you’d like more up-to-the-minute computer science (CS) news and events, connect with us on Twitter at @CSinSD. You can also find more information on the SDCOE computer science webpage. Direct inquiries can be made to mark.lantsberger@sdcoe.net or maria.hynes@sdcoe.net. If you have comments or suggestions for future issues, please fill out this Google form.

Know someone who might enjoy what you’re reading? Please share this link so others can sign up for future issues of Bit Blast!

Mark Lantsberger

SDCOE Computer Science Coordinator

SCRIPT is Coming to San Diego County

The Strategic CSforALL Resource and Implementation Planning Tool or the SCRIPT, is a framework to guide teams of district administrators, school leaders, and educators through a series of collaborative visioning, self-assessment, and goal-setting exercises to create or expand upon a computer science education implementation plan for their students.

SDCOE will host a multi-day visioning workshop on the SCRIPT early next year that includes support for a full year! Email your inquiries to mark.lantsberger@sdcoe.net to start thinking about how to assemble your team.

Winter of CS Admin workshop

The UCLA CS Administrator Workshop is being offered this winter. The two-day workshop on Jan. 26 and 31 is a fantastic opportunity for district teams who are considering equitable implementation of CS but want deeper insight into the process of doing that successfully. Bring your team to gain deeper insights and start in-depth conversations about what CS can look like in your community. Learn from CS administrators and educators from across the state. Find more information on the flyer here and register. This is a great opportunity for districts to prepare for SCRIPT in the spring.

This section spotlights CS educators, administrators, and organizations making a difference for their students. If you have a CS hero in your system, tell us about them using this Google form for possible inclusion in a future edition of Bit Blast!

CSTA Teacher Standards

Our dear friend Bryan Twarek and his elite team at CSTA National have developed a set of standards for teachers’ professional development. This rich set of standards can aid teachers in their own professional growth and help administrators better understand the things they see in CS classrooms. What’s even cooler is that there are tools built for these purposes! Super exciting to explore. Be certain to also check out the resources page.

Native American Heritage Month

It’s not too late! November is Native American Heritage Month, but every day we have the opportunity to value and honor indigenous peoples. Educate yourself and be an advocate for your students with these resources.

Listen to flash talks from our CSTA Equity Fellows. Rebecca Luebker shares the importance of valuing native identity. Richard Winn shares his experience teaching on the reservation during his talk, Live in the Future Without Losing the Past.
Read Recognizing and Honoring Native Students in the CS Classroom from CSTA Equity Fellow Rebecca Luebker.
Create a land acknowledgment by using this Native Land tool.
Explore the October 2021 CSTA Engage recording resources with this Native American Heritage Month Resources video and slide presentation.
Review the SDCOE Equity Blueprint for Action, which focuses on Native American voices in our community and provides actionable practices for supporting historically marginalized students.

CS Snacks

Here’s a fun new monthly offering from our friends in San Bernardino County! CS Snacks is a computer science website that provides “instant CS activities for middle school” and the chance to code along. Visit the CS Snacks website to get started.

CS foreach From UC San Diego

CS foreach would like to come help you and your students! The nonprofit student organization is focused on increasing access to computer science and technical education to students across San Diego County. They can help through various workshops on topics such as game development, Python, web development, or anything your students might be interested in. They also have mentors ready to meet with students and help them get started learning computer science or prepare for their college careers.

CS foreach is run by college students who know very well the struggles of learning computer science and other technical fields. With that in mind, they want to be able to give back to the community and help teachers and students out in whatever ways they can. Reach out to the group through this form or email csforeach@ucsd.edu.

This section contains information about CS community groups and their gatherings. If you’d like to share an upcoming event or happening with Bit Blast!, please fill out this Google form.

CSEdWeek and The Hour of Code

CSEdWeek is almost here! Even if it’s just occurring to you, an Hour of Code is easily accessible for you and your students. The theme for this year is “CS is Everywhere,” which promises to intrigue your students and open them (and possibly you) up to the joys of computer science in our everyday lives. Get ready for fun with ideas and resources on the Hour of Code website.

CSTA’s Cutler-Bell Prize

The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) has opened the application for the the 2021-22 Cutler-Bell Prize, which recognizes up to four high school senior students residing in the U.S. for their projects in CS. Winners will receive a $10,000 prize to go to their college/university of choice.

Encourage your high school seniors to apply! The deadline to submit an application is 9 a.m. Jan. 10. Learn more about the prize and review the application.

The San Diego Foundation Common Scholarship Application Opens Dec. 1

Another great scholarship opportunity is right here in San Diego. The San Diego Foundation has a common application for many available scholarships. There are tools for students as well as advisors for choosing the right scholarships to apply for and do them all with one application! Visit The San Diego Foundation website for more information.

While winter starts to deepen, I certainly hope you take some time to be thankful for everything you have and experience. As the winter break approaches, I wish you some rest, recuperation, and connection with family time. Be joyous and take in the crisp San Diego morning air. . . well, as crisp as San Diego gets. Be well, and BitBlast! will return in 2022!

<EOF>

If you have any questions or comments about the Bit Blast! newsletter, please contact Mark Lantsberger.

Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE and in our districts across the county.