Happy Computer Science Education Week!

Hello All,

This week, Dec. 9-15, is Computer Science Education Week! Most schools offer a weak attempt to interest K-8th students in computer programming.  From what I have seen, a number of high schools lag in up to date technology offerings.  There's a class being offered at a nearby high school that causes me to reminisce of the old RadioShack Trash80s and early Apple IIs.  It even gives me the urge to introduce my own children to the version of  Oregon Trail that I recall playing on an Apple II. There are also many high schools producing quality courses with students well prepared to continue their technical education after graduation. Let's face it, the pathway for educators to receive a computer science license is fuzzy in many states and contributes to the issue of varying quality among K-12th tech programs along with funding.  Statistics seem to show there are many jobs available in computer science and the universities are not producing enough graduates to fill them.  If you would like to introduce a student to computer programming visit http://csedweek.org/learn. There are options to participate in the festivities this week and information on how to continue spreading the joy once the event is over.  If you are considering offering a class, there is also a free suggested curriculum. If programming isn't your strength, most offerings require the instructor to have little previous programming knowledge.  I can tell you both my children (late elementary and middle school) were able to easily manipulate Scratch without using the tutorials on the side.

Have you hugged a computer today{ }?

Celebrating tech time!

Mrs. A

The M in STEM.

Hello All,

Math and science are beautifully intertwined.  No surprise, I have a great appreciation for many things STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related.  The University of Cambridge NRICH is a wonderful resource for math and STEM activities.  There are elementary and secondary offerings for both students and teachers.  Curious, I clicked the lower level secondary link and followed the STEM link at the top of the page. This led to some interesting math based STEM activities under the Living World and Physical World.  I especially enjoyed exploring the genetics option.

Alcumus is another site that caught my attention in the online world of mathematics. If you are familiar with Math Counts, Math Counts Minis are available here. Students can compete with other students through AoPS for the Win, FTW!  FTW! encourages students development of skills for middle school level math competitions. Students can also take advantage of the adaptive curriculum that chooses questions based on the students previous performance.  There is quite the selection of short math videos.  If one prefers, there are math and programming courses that may be paid for as well.

Happy calculating,

Mrs. A