This professional development plan: 

• locates and designates ongoing, year-round Digital Citizenship curriculum

• recommends general tech skill proficiencies by grade 

• suggests tools and  projects to meet Common Core standards

• highlights exploration and experiences with multiple hands-on coding tools 

Purpose

The intent is to expand teachers' knowledge of a variety of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) tools that can leverage technology in creative, innovative, active ways (ISTE, 4.5.b., 2019). According to scholar Nadelson (2021), the student-centered and varied solutions of Makerspaces permit problem solving, creativity, and high engagement by even struggling, diverse learners. The hope is that STEAM and Coding tools can be used in “deep learning of content” and create “learning opportunities” using “computational thinking” and the “design process” to benefit students at any grade level (ISTE, 2.6.c., 2.6.d., 2017; 4.4.a., 4.4.b., 2019).