Grades 6-8 Workshop Descriptions

Monday August 4

Computer Science Praxis Prep (Monday morning only and Tuesday - Thursday Full Day)

Join Ben Isecke for the five day Computer Science Praxis Prep workshop. Ben will prepare you to take the Praxis exam. The first session will be Monday morning in person, then the following three days will meet virtually with the practice review taking place on August 14, 10 am - Noon.

Code.org CS Discoveries (Full Day Monday - Friday)

Roseanna Misuraca

Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 6 - 10th grade students. Mapped to Indiana standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem solving, programming, physical computing, user centered design, and data. Students will be inspired as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems. CS Discoveries can be flexibly taught as a single semester, two semesters over multiple years, or as a full-year course. Options are even available for less than one semester. The curriculum is available at no cost for anyone, anywhere to teach.

Begin Your Coding Adventure with CodeMonkey

Kelly Susinski

Come see CodeMonkey Ambassador Kelly Susinski to learn more about CodeMonkey's award-winning curriculum and how you can implement it in your classroom. She will cover how to get started with a teacher subscription as well as how to implement the curriculum during the school year. Participants will get the opportunity to explore our block-based and text-based courses (CodeMonkey Jr., Beaver Achiever, and Coding Adventure Part One) from the student perspective as well as guided courses in Digital Literacy, AI, Data Science, and Typing! She will be giving away a one-year Classroom Subscription as well as fun CodeMonkey swag!

Physical Computing with Arduino

Dalton Fowler

Interested in teaching C++, physical computing, or animatronics with your High School or Middle School students? In this workshop, learn about Arduino while practicing some of the concepts you'll teach! Participants will receive an example pacing guide for a 90 day HS course, example projects, sample code, and more! All experience levels are welcome.

Spark Innovation in Your Classroom with Tinkercad & 3D Printing!

Kimberly Curran Smith

Are you ready to transform your teaching and spark a passion for computer science in your students? Join our dynamic hands-on workshop where you'll master how to use Tinkercad’s free, powerful virtual tools—Codeblocks and Circuits—to revolutionize any classroom.

What You'll Discover:

How to set up classes, add assignments, and assess students in the Tinkercad Teacher Dashboard.
Deep dive and hands-on practice using Codeblocks & Circuits tools.
Practical strategies to integrate Tinkercad’s Codeblocks for algorithmic thinking and automated 3D design.
Innovative uses of Circuits to simulate micro:bit, Arduino, and other electronics, making STEM accessible to every student.
How to extend virtual learning into the physical world with 3D printing—turning student-created Codeblocks designs into tangible models that reinforce design thinking, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving.

Why Attend?

Accessibility & Equity: Break down barriers by making cutting-edge computer science education accessible to every student, regardless of geography or hardware availability.
Engage & Inspire: Use Tinkercad’s intuitive, accessible platform to help students design 3D models, code, and simulate real-world electronics projects—no physical devices required!
Break the Barriers: Overcome challenges of limited hardware and geography. Learn how your students can explore robotics, sensor integration, and interactive electronics from any device.
Real-World Skills: Teach essential CS and electronics concepts like block-based coding, circuit design, microcontroller programming, and now 3D printing—fostering hands-on problem-solving and computational thinking.
Empowerment Through Innovation: Equip yourself with practical strategies to create inclusive, engaging CS lessons that foster creativity, confidence, and design-based learning.

Transform your lessons into interactive, creative explorations that empower students to think critically, design boldly, and solve problems with confidence. Ignite your classroom with the future of computer science education—reserve your spot today!

Capture the Classroom (Part 1 of 2)

Abby Lahr and Jeremy Milonas

Come learn how to incorporate Capture the Flag questions and competitions in your classroom! This workshop is for ALL levels of CTF enthusiasts. We'll break down the process, types of questions, how to start to find answers, and of course, what CTFs are out there.

Drones

Philip Polsinelli

Power Up Learning with Renewable Energy Projects. Blending Creativity, Circuits and Community-Centered Design

3Dux Designs, Marci Klein, MD

This high-energy, hands-on workshop goes way beyond just lighting up structures with renewable energy kits. Participants will dive into the exciting world of urban design using solar and wind power as the launchpad for deeper conversations about climate, community, and the systems that connect us all. Through a mix of the engineering and design thinking processes, you’ll take on a real-world challenge: designing sustainable buildings and urban systems tailored to specific regions—factoring in local climate, geography, resources, and culture.

Educators will experiment with solar- and wind-powered circuits, then channel that tech know-how into a collaborative community design challenge that’s as creative as it is relevant. The session includes NGSS-aligned lesson plans, project templates, and practical strategies for helping students connect STEM learning to their own lives, their communities, and the world they’re growing up to lead. You’ll leave energized, inspired, and ready to spark future-focused learning in your classroom.

Cybersecurity and Networking without Screens

Jeremy Milonas

In this workshop we will be focusing on fun and engaging ways to teach Cybersecurity and Networking topics to students of all grade levels in an unplugged format.

Designing Your Middle School CS Course: Exploring the Mix & Match Modules

CodeHS

This 3-hour workshop introduces the CodeHS Mix and Match Middle School Course—a modular and customizable curriculum tailored to the diverse needs of middle school classrooms. Teachers will explore a wide range of modules, including programming, digital citizenship, web design, and game development, and learn how to assemble a course sequence that fits their specific classroom goals. The session also provides engagement strategies specifically designed for middle school learners, helping educators create a dynamic, student-centered computer science environment from the outset.

Tuesday August 5

Computer Science Praxis Prep (Monday morning only and Tuesday - Thursday Full Day)

Join Ben Isecke for the five day Computer Science Praxis Prep workshop. Ben will prepare you to take the Praxis exam. The first session will be Monday morning in person, then the following three days will meet virtually with the practice review taking place on August 14, 10 am - Noon.

Code.org CS Discoveries

Roseanna Misuraca

Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 6 - 10th grade students. Mapped to Indiana standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem solving, programming, physical computing, user centered design, and data. Students will be inspired as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems. CS Discoveries can be flexibly taught as a single semester, two semesters over multiple years, or as a full-year course. Options are even available for less than one semester. The curriculum is available at no cost for anyone, anywhere to teach.

Garden State Esports

Grades 7 - 12, Higher Ed

Jim McKowen

A nonprofit competitive gaming league founded by educators during the pandemic to help our students stay connected, Garden State Esports has since grown into the largest scholastic league in the country and the organizing body for esports in New Jersey.

Find out how you can create a league and implement the curriculum.

Creative Coding with imagiLabs

Grades 3-9

Dora Palfi and Beatrice Ionascu

Empower the next generation with Python skills to shape the future with technology.

Inspire student creativity, criical thinking, and collaboration with project-based lessons that build Python skills, while connecting to students’ interests.

Deepen student understanding and engagement using imagiCharms, programmable devices that allow students to share projects with their class.

The first 15 registrants will receive an imagiCharm. imagiCharms are not required to teach the lessons.

Scratch for 5th - 9th Grade Educators

BootUp

This workshop will teach educators how to engage students with an easy-to-use, block-based programming language and interest-driven projects to create and share interactive stories, animations, games, art, music, and more. Professional development workshops will discuss the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge needed to facilitate over a dozen interest-driven projects in Scratch. Workshops discusses topics such as why teach coding, assessing elementary coding and CS, integrating coding projects in other subject areas, project-based learning, fostering an inclusive culture, and differentiation. Teachers will walk away with access to hundreds of lessons, projects, and resources at no cost to get started with their elementary coding initiative.

Transitioning from Block Coding to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

BSD Education

This workshop guides educators from block-based coding to text-based programming technologies for K-12 classrooms.
Explore HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through a comprehensive course designed to expand instruction beyond visual block coding.
Take students to the next level of digital creation and problem-solving.
Learn practical skills with resources and hands-on projects.

Data Science & AI using a no-code approach with Tableau (Part 1 of 2)

Diya Research

This two-day professional development workshop includes two interactive, three-hour sessions that offers educators a thorough introduction to Data Science and data literacy through a blend of foundational knowledge and practical exercises. Participants will investigate the role of AI and Data Science within education via engaging discussions that clarify essential concepts and highlight their real-world significance. A key component of the workshop focuses on data visualization, featuring step-by-step guidance using Tableau, a leading platform for developing interactive and informative visuals. Furthermore, educators will be introduced to the basics of Python programming, acquiring fundamental skills in data manipulation, cleaning, interpretation, and programmatic visualization.

Participants will also gain access to ready-to-use lesson plan templates and resources designed for classroom use. These resources can be reviewed and customized to align with existing curricula, simplifying the integration of data-driven learning experiences into teaching practices. This workshop aims to equip educators with the confidence to meaningfully incorporate data into their instruction, enabling students to connect academic concepts with real-world challenges through inquiry and critical analysis.

Deep Dive: Day of AI Data Science courses with Python

Matt Taylor

In this workshop, teachers will become familiar with a few of the Day of AI modules that focus on introducing students to Data Science concepts in Python. Teachers will work on adapting one of these courses for implementation in their classrooms during the 2025-26 school year.

Creating a Welcoming CS Classroom Environment for All Students

Quiana Bannerman and David Ruf

This workshop explores critical elements of the classroom in order to create an environment that is welcoming to everyone. Elements include classroom population, instruction, classroom environment, and avoiding potential pitfalls. Participants will better understand their students’ sense of belonging in their class and develop plans to increase it.

This workshop is designed for all educators ready to learn more about themselves, their teaching practices, and ways to make an environment conducive for learning for all. Participants will spend time reflecting on their own practices, exploring K-12 education, analyzing their chosen curriculums for elements of student voice, choice, assessments, and positive learning outcomes.

Wednesday August 6

Computer Science Praxis Prep (Monday morning only and Tuesday - Thursday Full Day)

Join Ben Isecke for the five day Computer Science Praxis Prep workshop. Ben will prepare you to take the Praxis exam. The first session will be Monday morning in person, then the following three days will meet virtually with the practice review taking place on August 14, 10 am - Noon.

Code.org CS Discoveries

Roseanna Misuraca

Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 6 - 10th grade students. Mapped to Indiana standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem solving, programming, physical computing, user centered design, and data. Students will be inspired as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems. CS Discoveries can be flexibly taught as a single semester, two semesters over multiple years, or as a full-year course. Options are even available for less than one semester. The curriculum is available at no cost for anyone, anywhere to teach.

NJCTL CS Teaching Endorsements, Graduate Courses, MSTL Degrees, and Free Teaching Materials

In this session, you’ll learn about NJCTL’s free, editable classroom teaching materials for computer science as well as its online, asynchronous, self-paced graduate courses and programs for current and prospective teachers. That includes its Master of Science in Teaching and Learning Computer Science, its NJ-DOE approved Computer Science Add-On Endorsement program, and its courses to prepare for the Praxis exam. The College Board has recognized the quality of NJCTL’s free resources and graduate courses for AP Computer Science courses by naming it an Endorsed Provider for both, one of twelve organizations who have been so recognized.

Save time with AI-grading and our Web-based IDE

Ryan Dehmoubed, JuiceMind

Turbo-charge your grading with our AI-graded FRQs to save you time provide detailed feedback for improvements to your students. Additionally, this workshop will explore the many advantages of using a web-based IDE in your computer science class, including simplified administration and increased collaboration.

Introduction to Programming in Python (Full Day)

Toni Dunlop, WeTeach_CS

This session is intended to introduce foundational computational thinking and programming concepts to third through 5th grade teachers.

Course content includes topics:

Data, Algorithms, and Programming
Computing Technology and Society

Participants will also implement pedagogical ideas to help reinforce computer science concepts and to bring coding back into your 3 – 5 classrooms.

This is the workshop for you if:

You are brand new to computer science but want to start with the programming concepts of the discipline to build a foundational level of comfort beginning with block-based programming.
You are ready to uplevel your programming skills.

Data Science & AI using Python based libraries (Part 2 of 2)

Diya Research

This two-day professional development workshop includes two interactive, three-hour sessions that offers educators a thorough introduction to Data Science and data literacy through a blend of foundational knowledge and practical exercises. Participants will investigate the role of AI and Data Science within education via engaging discussions that clarify essential concepts and highlight their real-world significance. A key component of the workshop focuses on data visualization, featuring step-by-step guidance using Tableau, a leading platform for developing interactive and informative visuals. Furthermore, educators will be introduced to the basics of Python programming, acquiring fundamental skills in data manipulation, cleaning, interpretation, and programmatic visualization.

Participants will also gain access to ready-to-use lesson plan templates and resources designed for classroom use. These resources can be reviewed and customized to align with existing curricula, simplifying the integration of data-driven learning experiences into teaching practices. This workshop aims to equip educators with the confidence to meaningfully incorporate data into their instruction, enabling students to connect academic concepts with real-world challenges through inquiry and critical analysis.

Designing Student Protocols for AI Use

Matt Taylor

This session focuses on effectively integrating AI into your classroom assignments. We will explore AI’s strengths and weaknesses as an educational tool, discuss practical strategies to enhance assignments through AI, and identify key supports your students will need. Participants will have dedicated work time to share reflections, consider potential challenges, and synthesize student protocols.

Thursday August 7

Computer Science Praxis Prep (Monday morning only and Tuesday - Thursday Full Day)

Join Ben Isecke for the five day Computer Science Praxis Prep workshop. Ben will prepare you to take the Praxis exam. The first session will be Monday morning in person, then the following three days will meet virtually with the practice review taking place on August 14, 10 am - Noon.

Code.org CS Discoveries

Roseanna Misuraca

Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 6 - 10th grade students. Mapped to Indiana standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem solving, programming, physical computing, user centered design, and data. Students will be inspired as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems. CS Discoveries can be flexibly taught as a single semester, two semesters over multiple years, or as a full-year course. Options are even available for less than one semester. The curriculum is available at no cost for anyone, anywhere to teach.

Certified & Creative: Elevate Your Teaching with Canva AI

Hanan Attiyah

Join Mrs. Hanan Attiyah, Global Teacher Canvassador, for an energizing and hands-on workshop where educators will earn both the Canva Teacher Essentials Certification and the Canva AI in the Classroom Certification. This session will empower you to design visually engaging lessons, explore AI-powered tools, and walk away with classroom-ready resources that make teaching more efficient and impactful.

Capture the Classroom (Part 2 of 2)

Abby Lahr and Jeremy Milonas

Come learn how to incorporate Capture the Flag questions and competitions in your classroom! This workshop is for ALL levels of CTF enthusiasts. We'll break down the process, types of questions, how to start to find answers, and of course, what CTFs are out there.

AI for Educators: Practical Tools to Streamline Teaching and Save Time

CodeHS

In this one-hour session, teachers will explore seven practical ways to integrate AI into their workflow to enhance productivity and instruction. From lesson planning and brainstorming to reducing administrative tasks and offering personalized student support, this workshop equips educators with actionable tools to make teaching more efficient and creative. Whether new to AI or already experimenting with it, participants will leave with strategies to support student learning better while saving time.

Amazon Future Engineer

Bryan Callow and Darren Ehrhardt

Come learn from 2023 AFE Teacher Ambassadors about the way they use Project STEM and Code.org to ensure all students have access to top-notch CS programming! The session will also cover Amazon Future Engineer products like Career Tours and highlights from the Ambassador program.

Going Deeper with Scratch: Tools for Teaching Advanced Concepts

Ryan Evans

Take Your Scratch Skills to the Next Level! Ready to go beyond the basics of Scratch? In this hands-on, project-based workshop, educators will dive into more advanced programming concepts that unlock the full potential of Scratch in the classroom. We'll explore custom blocks with My Blocks, use Variables for dynamic data handling, and harness the power of Broadcasting to coordinate complex animations and interactions. Along the way, we'll also touch on other powerful features like cloning, lists, and Scratch extensions to build smarter, more interactive projects.

Through the creation of 1–2 engaging mini-projects, participants will gain confidence in designing interactive stories, games, and simulations that challenge and inspire students. Bring more creativity to your classroom. This session will equip you with ideas and tools to level up your Scratch teaching.

CS Teacher Standard 2e: Use accessible instructional materials

Dr. Richard Ladner

In this session teachers will learn about the important accessibility affordances used by students with disabilities, such as screen readers, voice control, switch control, eye tracking and others. They will learn about accessible programming environments including Quorum, Blocks4All, Swift Playgrounds, Octostudio and others. They will be given examples of accessible computer science unplugged activities. They will learn about tools for learning disabilities including OneNote tools, graphical organizers and others. They will learn about recent accessibility mandates based on Title II of the ADA that may affect their teaching of all students.