Computer Science Education Week
December 4 - 8, 2023
Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field.
This year, our focus will be on the Impacts of Computing. “Impacts of Computing” refers to computer science's positive and negative effects on various aspects of our lives, including education, privacy, security, and accessibility.
Use hashtags: #CSEdWeek #CelebratingProgress
Host an Hour of Code
The Hour of Code is a free introduction to computer science through fun activities and videos for learners of all skill levels. This year's celebration of both coding and AI is supported by over 400 partners, 20,000 educators, and 58,000 volunteers.
This year, we're taking Hour of Code to new heights by offering coding opportunities that encompass both artificial intelligence (AI) and non-AI components. Whether you or your students are experienced coders or you all are setting out on your very first computer science expedition, this Hour of Code promises an extraordinary voyage.
No experience is necessary to run an Hour of Code! Students can use a tablet, laptop, desktop computer or mobile device, and no signup or login is required (signing up for the Hour of Code does not automatically create a code.org account).
Before the Hour of Code
2. Choose your activities
Select either general or AI-focused activities
Follow up by learning about AI here
3. Plan your event
Try your chosen activities beforehand
Ensure devices and space are adequate
4. Plan your hour
Consider showing students an inspirational video before they begin
Teach students about AI after the coding activity is complete
5. Spread the word
Ask two other colleagues to register
Consider hosting a school-wide event
Reach out to parents and let them know what their children are learning
Day of the Hour of Code
1. Get coding
Direct students to the activity
Support students through challenges - learning to program is like learning a new language; you won't be fluent right away, and that's okay!
2. Celebrate
Printable certificates are available here
Share photos/videos to show off your students' achievements
Explore Responsible AI Use with Minecraft
Team up with the trusty Agent to build helpful AI-powered inventions in this year’s Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI! Correct coding problems, solve fun puzzles, and use the principles of responsible AI. Explore the amazing potential of AI and the importance of fair, reliable technology. With coding in MakeCode Blocks or Python, Minecraft Hour of Code allows anyone to learn the basics of coding and how to build better AI for all.
If you are new to Minecraft Education, check out their Teacher Academy. Contact Technology Services to get Minecraft Education installed on your Chromebooks.
Deliver a Canada Learning Code Lesson
During Canada Learning Code Week, students around Canada will collectively code to unlock Emoji World and make it a better place for all emojis. Last year students all over Canada learned how to code and filled Emoji World with 1000s of emojis including many 💩 emojis. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the release of too much CO₂! Now Emoji World is at risk of severe climate change.
Teachers, with you as the Commanders and us as your co-pilots, our mission is to mitigate the CO₂ emissions caused by thousands of poop emojis from Canada Learning Code Week last year.
These lessons are great for all coding skill levels in Grades 1 to 12, and can be integrated into existing subjects.
Getting Involved
Teach a featured lesson plan (or more) during Canada Learning Code Week (links to plans are included below).
After you teach a lesson, let Canada Learning Code know how many students you taught and get a unique code that will unlock Emoji World for your class! This will give each student access to Emoji World so they can see how their new coding skills made an impact.
Kindergarten to Grade 3
What does it mean to be green?
Students will discuss what it means to be "green" and create a Green Haiku together, then bring their favorite idea to life using ScratchJr (block-based).
Subjects: ELAL, Science, Math
Grades 4-6
micro:bit Challenge: Addressing the UN Global Goals
Students will create prototype addressing one of the UN's Global Goals to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (unplugged, block-based).
Subjects: ELAL, Science
Grades 7-12
Students will use Python and the Pygal graphing library to visualize data about one of the most important issues facing our country: greenhouse gas emissions and their relation to climate change (text-based, python).
Subjects: Math, Science
Join Google Livestreams
December 4 - Learn to code your own Google Logo with CS First
Teachers and students from Grade 4 and up are invited to join us for a hands-on experience with block-based programming in Scratch for CS First. Googlers will join to share their expertise as we all create our logos.
Students will learn basic computational concepts and try them out by creating their own custom Google Logo. Teachers, we will lead the lesson and provide engagement opportunities for you to work with your students along the way. Each student is encouraged but not required to have access to a device for this lesson, which is part of the Computer Science Education Week event. This workshop is free of charge to all classrooms.
Teachers can register for the livestream event and receive a recording to view with students later in the week. This livestream event takes place from 11:00AM to 12:00PM (MST).
This lesson can also be completed separate from the livestream through this site.
December 5 - Discover AI in Daily Life with Google’s Applied Digital Skills
Have you ever wondered how an app can recommend movies that you may like? Or how a computer can suggest words to finish a sentence you’re typing? Teachers and students from Grade 4 and up are invited to join us for a hands-on learning experience using Google’s Applied Digital Skills Discover AI in Daily Life lesson. Students will learn will learn what artificial intelligence is, how people use it every day, and its benefits and challenges using Quick, Draw!, AutoDraw, Google Translate, and Google Slides. Googlers will also join to share their expertise and facilitate a discussion.
Teachers, we will lead the lesson and provide engagement opportunities for you to work with your students along the way. Each student is encouraged but not required to have access to a device to participate.
The session will take place on Tuesday, December 5th from 11:00AM to 12:00PM (MST) and is free of charge to all classrooms.
December 6 - Exploring the frontiers of computer science: insights from leading developers
Join us for a captivating journey into the ever-evolving world of computer science as we bring together several developers from unique backgrounds. In this 60-minute panel discussion moderated by Google's Head of Civil Rights Chanelle Hardy, our panelists will share their insights, experiences, and visions for the future while offering a glimpse into how they overcame obstacles, navigate change, and plan to shape the world of tomorrow.
This panel discussion promises to be a thought-provoking journey that will inspire and engage classrooms. All teachers and students are welcome to join this session and are encouraged to ask questions directly to our panelists.
Don't miss the opportunity to gain unique insights into the trends, challenges, and innovations driving the computer science field. Mark your calendar for December 6th, 2023, at 11:00 AM (MST), and sign up to be part of this exciting journey into the frontiers of computer science.
Try Unplugged Activities
If digital resources might be a factor in you deciding whether or not to take part in this week, some of the resources on this website may show how you can have an Hour of Code, or even the entire week, without needing computers for your class throughout the week.
You could also peruse this list of books and stories that touch on the impacts of computing and are suitable for Kindergarten to Grade 9.
These activities are ideal for Kindergarten to Grade 6 students.
Additional Activities
CS Week and Hour of Code.pdfPast Computer Science Education Week Events