Computer Science K-5

1. Computer Science Advocacy K-12–Texas Style
   From lessons to standards, advocating for computer science education is essential. Texas has K-8 computer science programming in math standards, and nine CS courses. Texas HB 5 allows for students to take two courses in computing programming languages as a substitute for two courses in a foreign language. The word “computational” has been added in the phrase “critical and computational thinking.”
2. SIGCT Forum: Computational Thinking, Cybersecurity, Scratch, Robotics
   The Forum will feature Michael Tempel of the Logo Foundation, and also educators, students and industry volunteers from San Antonio’s Cyber City USA team lead by Cliff Zintgraff. Find out how to infuse the nine core competencies rooted in computer science work in the classroom.
3. SIGCT STEM Playground
   Visit student robotics teams, cyber security teams and developing CT/CS projects, CS Advocacy, Scratch projects, Logo and small robotics all focused around Computational Thinking.
4. SIGCT Open House
   The SIG for Computing Teachers advances the practice of teaching computing and computer science in PK–12 education. I am the business officer.
5. SIGCT Annual Meeting
   We need YOU!! All SIGCT members or those interested in joining are encouraged to attend. Assist in the planning of future activities.

ADVOCACY SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

• ISTE SIGCT SIG for Computing Teachers
• CSTA Computer Science Teachers Association
• NCWIT National Center for Women & Information Technology
• ACM Association for Computing Machinery
• TCEA TA/CS SIG Texas Computer Education Association

The Texas Computer Science Association (TCEA) is taking a lead in advocating for Computer Science and other Technology Application Courses by testifying at the Senate Education Committee hearing: http://tceaadvocacy.wordpress.com on HB 5. Please support this by writing our Texas Senators.

To be a well-educated citizen as we move toward an ever-more computing-intensive world and to be prepared for the jobs of the 21st Century, students must have a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of computer science. – from the ACM/CSTA “Running on Empty” report.

From the video below Starring Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, will.i.am, Chris Bosh, Jack Dorsey, Tony Hsieh, Drew Houston, Gabe Newell, Ruchi Sanghvi, Elena Silenok, Vanessa Hurst, and Hadi Partovi.

Learn about a new “superpower” that isn’t being taught in in 90% of US schools.

This superpower has been around for decades, the problem is educators keep waiting for Superman. They are looking in the wrong circles. I have been teaching programming for 30 years and know that Everyone can learn to code!! That is if your school introduces you to the world of computer science. Some kids are lucky enough to have friends or parents help them. In Texas there are 9 High School Computer Science courses. Programming is part of the Math TEKS and Technology Application TEKS. My 2005 research data shows that computer programming can increase mastery of algebraic computation skills.

1. We need champions and change agents!!
2. Please help make computer science part of the Texas HB5.
3. Please write your legislators to add:

To Foundation High School Program SECTION 5(c-1) (1) add computer science endorsement. Added by Committee

Go to wescheme.org and copy and paste this code:

;; Examples
(overlay
(circle 75 “outline” “green”)
(rectangle 150 150 “outline” “red”))

(overlay
(circle 50 “solid” “green”)
(rectangle 100 100 “solid” “red”))

;; GreenCircleInRedSquare number -> drawing
;; Draw a Green Circle inscribed in a Red Square
(define (GreenCircleInRedSquare radius)
(overlay
(circle radius “solid” “green”)
(rectangle (* radius 2) (* radius 2) “solid” “red”)))

(GreenCircleInRedSquare 75)
(GreenCircleInRedSquare 50)

Please see my video on Programming Graphics and my web 1.0 site for more code.

I am not alone, as there are many organizations that support CS education including CSTA and NCWIT. I am trying to help locally promote CS Education. More videos on Computational Thinking can be found at scoop.it/t/computational-thinking-in-k-12.

Teaching programming physically changed my brain by building dendrites that did not exist when I was in high school, thus creating an ability to write and think computationally.

(define star-side (overlay (star 45 “solid” “white”) (rectangle 100 200 “solid” “navy”)))
(define stripes-side (above (rectangle 200 100 “solid” “white”) (rectangle 200 100 “solid” “red”)))
(overlay (rectangle 300 200 “outline” “black”) (beside star-side stripes-side))

It is inspiring as a teacher to run into former students who were inspired by computer science and now are in the business. Please meet:

Fatima – Houston ISD Piney Point ES now Revere MS Student – at EYH

Victor is a leader. The book “World Class Learners – Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students” leads me to think that our education system requiring teachers and students to be followers is killing that spirit. Those who lead tend to get in trouble.

I think we should eliminate multiple choice testing in elementary school and replace it with Tests of Creative Thinking. As others have found, I observed in my 4 years as an ES teachers that testing of young children must stop.

Fatima is one of my learners that was in my daughter’s presentation at the Expanding Your Horizons Conference. I wonder what I can do to help her become one of our future leaders and entrepreneurs.

Research shows that “high school students who exhibit creative personalities are more like to drop out of school than other students.” We as a society must do something to build the creative spirit of our children though hands-on projects and free thinking time in schools. Buckyballs are Everywhere. We need learners like Stephen Hawking who made no excuses and overcame his difficulties. I have been saying for decades that computer science opens the doors for creative thinking. So, when is action going to be taken on making computer science and engineering a required academic area. Even the President agrees.

More videos on this can be found at code.org. So decades after I produced a video on this very thing, seems people are finally finding it important. Want to see programming in action, please see my Programming with Graphics Video. And this is just the short version.

Presentation 2-4-13 TCEA Robotics Academy

Learn about teaching computational thinking with a robotic spelling bee, a number line and line dancing. This supports the Texas standards for technology applications and the new Texas math TEKS, which includes computational thinking and computer programming.

• WHY
Puzzles, Patterns and Spatial Reasoning
Robots are everywhere:
Apply the skills needed to build the designers, inventors, entrepreneurs, engineers and computer scientists we need for the future.
Passion to Work, No Excuses, Attention to Detail, Synergism, Gumbo
• LINE DANCING
Dancing with the Bees Video
Observation – the Sequence of Steps
The Systems Model
Bee-Bot World Software – download and create a dance simulation
Command Cards – Create your own
• SPELLING BEE
Spelling “MY” video
Alphabet Mats – You try – “I want to design a present for MY brain.”
• COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
CT Definition
Core Competencies
• TEXAS COMPUTER SCIENCE STANDARDS
Technology Application TEKS
Math TEKS
• Next Steps … Binary Code and Fold-a-Book

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

• ISTE SIGCT 6-24-13 Forum: Computational Thinking, Cybersecurity Education, Cyber Citizenship, Scratch, Programming Robots – infusing the nine core competencies rooted in computer science work in the classroom.
• CSTA – Computer Science begins in K-8
• Schlumberger’s Youth Computer Programming Initiative – Login2Care
• Jeanette Wing on Computational Thinking progress
• AAUW – Why So Few Women in STEM? and Expanding Your Horizons 2013 WHC Conference

… Predicted 60% of future STEM jobs in Computer Science.

• … and follow the Bee-Bot with Tools for Thinking

Randy Pauch, computer science professor who wrote the “Last Lecture” advocated for CS education because he wanted to create more research brains to design a cure for the cancer that was killing him. I want to create more research brains to design a better way for dialysis then sticking big needles into my mother’s arm three times a week.

This is the title of an article published in the Houston Chronicle by Paula Harris and Ruthe Farmer.

… Public school districts, HISD included, are not doing enough to prepare students or encourage them to pursue high tech careers. This has to change… We need to start working with students at a young age to spark their interest in technology and computer science. Our children should not just know how to use apps and video games, they should know how to create apps and video games… We must elevate computer science classes to be part of our core curriculum.

Please make a pledge to impact change as part of CS Education Week.

Celebrating CS Education Week
Ms. Creek’s 2nd grade creating a robotic line dance at Piney Point in HISD

The students I taught to program a line dance at Piney Point ES in Houston ISD and Bendwood in Spring Branch ISD now want to program the NAO to dance, design video games, and write their own mobile apps. Their teachers must maintain that spark, that passion to learn to program.

While young girls and boys use technology every day to communicate, play video games, download and listen to music, their interest in majoring in STEM has steadily declined over the past decade. Fewer students are enrolling in computer science and graduating with computer science degrees. If this trend continues, the technology industry will only be able to fill half its available jobs with candidates with computer science bachelor’s degrees from U.S. universities, according to the National Center for Women in Technology.

-Michele Kang CEO Cognosante, Leaders in STEM

How to Advocate for Computer Science in K-12 grades.
Presented at the Schlumberger Youth Computer Programming
LOG-IN Symposium

HANDS-ON Experience to experience WHY programming is the KEY!

• Binary – Fold-a-book
• Sequence of Steps – Spatial Reasoning
• Line Dance and Robotic Spelling Bee with the Bee-Bot
• Procedures with Pro-Bot – Graphic Programming and Turtle Art
• Programming with Graphics and 1.0 HTML Programmed website

THE LAW – Programming is now part of math and technology TEKS

• Computational Thinking and Programming
• Programming in Elementary School
• K-8 Technology Application Standards Summary – from SBOE TEKS Laws.
• Math, TA and Science Texas Standards Breakouts for textbook publishers-Programming needs to be added to student expectations.

TEACHER EDUCATION

• CS Education Degree - U-Teach
• CS BA Degree – Why Example University of Colorado

WRITE

• College Board Article on Programming with Graphics
• College Board Article Tool for CS

CREATE

• Brain Power: Neurons to Networks – Solutions? What can you do?
• Invent a robot for your garden using an Arduino like entrepreneur Zac. Team with a recycling club to create products that reduce your carbon footprint.

CODE

• Control and Programming Apps

THE STAR WARS FUTURE IS HERE
INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY – THE MIND – AND THE BODY

Presented November 2012 at
The Society for Women Engineers SWE12 Conference and
Schlumberger’s LOG-IN Youth Programming Conference

Line Dance and Robotic Spelling Bee

Universal Systems Model – Plan for Solving Any Problem

RESOURCES:

• NCWIT – Women in IT – Award for Aspirations in Computing
• SWE Conference – Society for Women Engineers – Invent IT
• AAUW-WHC Expanding Your Horizons Conference – EYH
• Programmable Floor Robot Tool for Thinking from Terrapin Logo.

The Thiel Fellowship has fueled a fierce debate about the value of a college education in a changing economy, one where the skills to write software or build a robot, coupled with an outsize dose of ambition and a youthful belief in one’s ability to change the world, have the potential to produce fame and fortune in a way that few other professions do. – New York Times

… How do we bring together organizations in Houston to scale Brain Building PBL in the classroom?

• AAUW Expanding Your Horizons – Conference Director
• AAUW Research – Why So Few Women in STEM – Outreach Team
• NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing – Houston Affiliate Committee
• Brilliant Lectures  – Advisory Board
• Tech Corps Texas – Advisory Board
• Keep Houston Beautiful – Commissioner and Chair Education Committee
• Energy Day Academic Awards - Academic Team
• University of Houston Computational BioMedicine Lab – Outreach Team
• MDPC Piney Point Elementary School – Vegetable Garden Maze Advocate

… And connect to Global Outreach?

• ISTE SIG for Computing Teachers – Business Officer
• ISTE 2013 SIGCT Forum and Playground
• Computer Science Teachers Association – K-8 CS Curriculum writer

… And reach out to book publishers to add programming enrichment activities.  The standards breakouts can be found on the TEA website. This lists the technology application TEKS as well as the 9 new high school CS classes including

• Game Programming and Design
• Mobile Application Development
• Robotics Programming and Design
• Digital Forensics
• Discrete Mathematics

Volunteering with outreach programs to build our future …
… Our future computer scientists, inventors, designers, entrepreneurs, engineers and brilliant thinkers.

… and the LAW … The Texas SBOE has added computational thinking to the proposed math standards TEKS. The motion was made by Dr. Soto lead by math TEKs expert reviewer Jim Rath:

(a)(1) The desire to achieve educational excellence is the driving force behind the Texas essential knowledge and skills for mathematics, guided by the college and career readiness standards. By embedding statistics, probability, and finance, while focusing on computational thinking, mathematical fluency and solid understanding, Texas will lead the way in mathematics education and prepare all Texas students for the challenges they will face in the 21st century.

(a)(2) … Students will select appropriate tools such as real objects, manipulatives, algorithms, paper and pencil, and technology, and will apply appropriate strategies such as mental math, estimation, number sense, generalization and abstraction to solve problems…Students will effectively communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations such as symbols, diagrams, graphs, computer programs, and language….

Supporting documents included letters from:

1. CSTA Special Report K-8 CS
2. Don Knuez, CEO of ISTE: ISTE SBOE Letter on CT
3. Chris Stevenson, Executive Director CSTA:CSTA_TEKSMathLet-1
4. CS TEKS Writing Team: SBOE_Letter_Tom-Charmaine-Karen
5. Karen North, AAUW-WHC-WSF, ISTE SIGCT: SBOE_testimony_April_2012

Supporting Resources:

1. Computational Thinking Definition Flyer
2. CSTA Computational Thinking Task Force
3. Barr Stephenson Inroads Article
4. Leading & Learning CT Article
5. My presentation at ISTE 2012: Teaching Computer Science and Computational Thinking
6. Gary Stager on Computational Thinking in Math
7. Manefesto for teaching CS
8. Learnable Programming including Seymour Papert and the turtle – “Programming releases trapped intelligence.”
9. … Get Kids to Code …”
10. Getting students hooked on CS – Microsoft
11. CS should be required in K-12

Why all our kids should be taught How to Code
There is a growing consensus that the way children in schools are being taught information technology is in need of a radical overhaul. … starting in primary school, children from all backgrounds and every part of the UK should have the opportunity to: learn some of the key ideas of computer science; understand computational thinking; learn to program; and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of excellence in these activities.

Texas now has computational thinking and computer programs in the Technology Application standards and the math standards.  The law is in place. The question is, what action plan do you have in place to change the way technology is used in your district, your school, your classroom, your home?