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.
It’s not just about learning technology; it’s about learning how to think through:
Critical Thinking: Breaking complex problems into logical steps.
Creativity: Using data and AI to build new digital artifacts.
Perseverance: Finding the "bug" and fixing it without giving up.
New for 2025 -- Two Ways to Participate:
SPS Division-wide School AI Challenge
Join our collaborative competition exploring artificial intelligence in a secure, age-appropriate environment.
Work with your class or school and participate for prizes!
Welcome to the future! This week, our district joins millions of students worldwide for Computer Science Education Week. While we have always celebrated the "Hour of Code," this year we are taking a leap forward with the Hour of AI.
Computer Science is about more than just keyboards and syntax; it is a masterclass in critical thinking. By participating in this district-wide challenge, students will not only explore how Artificial Intelligence works but also learn how to use it safely, ethically, and creatively.
Who: Any Sturgeon Public Schools teachers who wish to explore artificial intelligence with their class!
When: Computer Science Education Week (December 8-14, 2025) Competition will close on Friday, December 14th at 4pm.
Safety Ethics Considerations:
We are committed to exploring technology safely. All challenges in this competition are designed with privacy in mind.
No Logins Required: We use tools that do not require student accounts.
Data Privacy: Selected activities process data locally on the device or are COPPA-compliant.
Teacher-Led: All activities are designed for classroom oversight.
Participation is simple, flexible and open to all grade levels K-12.
STEP 1: Choose Your Mission
Review the "Challenges" section below and select the activity that matches your grade level, or best fits your class.
STEP 2: Create Your Artifact
Complete the challenge and capture your "Learning Artifact"
Note: your Learning Artifact will be the visual proof of your work -- a screenshot, downloaded image, slide, or picture of your class with your completed challenge!
Please do not send website links, as they can expire or be blocked by permissions/firewalls
STEP 3: Submit!
Teachers can submit either a student artifact or a whole-class artifact via the SPS AI Challenge Entry Form
Deadline: all entries must be received by December 14th @ 4:00pm
Please include your first name, grade, school and the image file in the form
Note: You do not need to submit every student's work! We recommend submitting the top 3 artifacts (that demonstrate creativity or problem solving) from your class or complete the challenge as a whole class.
All submissions will be entered to win one of 7 STEAM related prizes!
Open to All Grades - The Human Code
The Mission: Submit one "Rule" that you think AI should always have to follow
How to Enter: Submit your rule via the entry form. We will compile the top entries into a division "word-cloud" poster!
The Explorer Challenge
Focus: Pattern Recognition & Machine Learning
The Mission:Teach the Machine
Can you teach a computer to see?
Using Google's Teachable Machine, you will train an AI to recognize the difference between any two objects. It could be a rock and a banana, or anything you choose!
Teachers: how far can you take this AI? Can it recognize the difference between a repeating and increasing pattern?
The Tool: Teachable Machine (note: use only the Standard Image Model and do not download any content. Take a screenshot or photo!)
Get Started:
How to Enter: Submit a screenshot or class photo of the "Confidence Bar" hitting 100% when you hold up your object!
The Creator Challenge
Focus: Generative AI & Prompt Engineering
The Mission: Prompt Lab
Explore how computers turn words into images. Your goal is to generate a "Mashup Animal" or "Future City" that has never existed before.
The Tool: CanvaAI DreamLab or Gemini Nano Banana Tool
Get Started with the Tools:
How to Enter: Submit your image(s) to the entry form!
Pair up students: One is the "Prompt Engineer," one is the "AI."
The Engineer describes a secret image (e.g., "Draw a house") to the AI.
The Catch: The AI can only draw exactly what is said. If the Engineer says "Draw a door" but doesn't say "on the front of the house," the AI draws the door floating in the sky.
The Innovator Challenge
Focus: Machine Learning Logic, Bias and Cybersecurity
The Mission OPTION 1: Deepfake Detectives
Can you spot the difference between human and machine and score at least 8/10? Your goal is to analyze AI-generated content and find the "glitches." Look closely at the textures and lighting!
The Tool: Britannica: Real vs. AI
The Mission OPTION 2: Outsmart the Wizard
Learn how to hack an AI with the goal of making it safer. Can you trick the AI into revealing it's secret password?
How far can you go?
NOTE: Gandalf Terms of Service state that access is for 13+ only. It does not require a login, but it does log and store the prompts for the game. Students should never type name/school info -- use as teacher led challenge.
The Tool: Gandalf
Alternate Challenge: Complete the Minecraft Cyber Safe Challenge
How to Enter: Submit a screenshot of your score or level, or a photo of your class completing the challenge!
The Architect Challenge
Focus: Application, Ethics, Bias & Decision Making
Recommended for: Grades 6-12
The Mission OPTION 1: The Solution Pitch
Don't just use AI—design a future with it. Identify a problem in your school (e.g., cafeteria lines, study schedules) and propose an AI solution via an image infographic.
Create a one-page pitch that outlines: 1) The Problem, 2) The AI Solution, and 3) The Ethical Risk (Privacy/Bias).
Prompt the AI to consider bias, privacy, and other important considerations.
The Tool: Presentation Tool of Your Choice (exported as an image file)
The Mission OPTION 2: The Startup Simulator
You are the CEO of a fast-growing tech startup. You need to hire a team quickly, so you train an AI to help you read resumes. But be careful—the AI learns from your choices. If you rush, your AI might learn to be unfair.
Play the simulation to the end. Your goal is to build a successful company, but you must watch closely!
NOTE: This game is safe for all grade levels (no collected data) however, due to it's complexity, is best for Grades 6+
The Tool: Survival of the Best Fit
How to Enter: Submit a screenshot of your score or level, or a photo of your class completing the challenge!
Looking for something more self-paced?
The resources below offer choice boards, game links and interactive tutorials to help support your classes during CS Education Week and beyond.
No experience is necessary for Hour of AI! Students can use a tablet, laptop, etc. and no signup or login is required (signing up for the Hour of AI does not automatically create a code.org account).
Do you want to host an Hour of AI Event?
Access a HOW TO GUIDE with information on how easy it is to set up Hour of AI at your school
Celebrate Hour of AI with POSTERS for your classroom or school
Click HERE to access an optional Certificate of Completion for your students
Browse and Access ALL Hour of AI Activities
HOW to Share with Students:
No login required
Click the activity
Copy the URL
Share in Google Classroom (or your preferred mode) with students
Browse the Entire Hour of AI Library Here
Filter by Grade, Topic, Technology and more.
Legacy Hour of Code Activities
Scratch Hour of Code Activities
Livestream Create-Along Event!
Create a Scratch project with your class, live with Gitanjali Rao on December 10!
Register here.
Activity 1 : Invention Station
Create a Scratch project that shares the design of your invention and the invention’s goal or purpose through text and/or a voice recording, inspired by Gitanjali’s innovation process.
Activity 2: Kindness Community
Create a Scratch project to share a message of kindness, Inspired by Gitanjali’s innovative approach to anti-bullying efforts for young people around the world.
Minecraft Hour of Code
This is the 10th anniversary of Minecraft Hour of Code and our partnership with Code.org.
Step into the theater to save the day in Minecraft Hour of Code: The Show Must Go On! Find the show's missing star, unlock hidden gags, and interact with an ensemble cast. Help the Agent overcome stage fright as you solve coding puzzles backstage. Watch your coding skills shine in an epic final performance!
If you are new to Minecraft Education, check out their Teacher Academy. Contact Technology Services to get Minecraft Education installed on your Chromebooks.
Google's Applied Digital Skills Lessons
Discover AI in Daily Life - Learn about the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence while exploring Quick, Draw!, AutoDraw, Google Translate, and Google Slides.
Explore a Topic: Generative AI - Research an artificial intelligence topic of your choice and create a project to share what you learn with others.
Code a Joke-Telling Talkbot - Students will use code to write a program in Apps Script to create a joke-telling talkbot.
Additional lessons can be found here.
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.
Past Computer Science Education Week Events