CSTA of Western Mass Meetings


Welcome to the CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association) of Western Massachusetts!

Join CSTA-WMass for free by emailing cstawmass@gmail.com

Next Meetings (2nd Thursday of the month + extra events):

Sept:

Thu. Sept 12th 4:30-6:30 PM MGHPCC Holyoke - Kick Off Meeting - Blocks CAD workshop

October:

Thu. Oct. 10th, 4:30-6:30 PM, MGHPCC Holyoke - Workshop on DESE IMods and Girls Who Code Clubs

 

CSTA New England Conference, Boston, Oct. 26th, https://sites.google.com/view/cstane/home 


Cyber Literacy with cyber:bot (grades 9-12): October 26 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cyber-workshops-for-western-massachusetts-registration-66599517951.  

Cyber Literacy builds strong cyber foundations by introducing the opportunities, threats, responsibilities, and legal constraints associated with operating in cyberspace. Cyber Literacy will use the cyber:bot platform to lay the foundation for further exploration into STEM and cyber. The cyber:bot is a micro:bit outfitted with a robotics chassis. In this workshop, teachers will learn how to build and program a cyber:bot using Python and learn projects and strategies for teaching with the cyber:bot. These workshops are hosted by the Western Massachusetts CSTA and led by subject matter experts from the National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center. All participants will receive access to online curriculum materials.

 

STEAM/STEM with micro:bit (grades 3-8): October 27 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cyber-workshops-for-western-massachusetts-registration-66599517951.  

NICERC's STEM EDA and STEAM Fundamentals courses engage students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while making connections to humanities content and cyber contexts. By following the Engineering Design Process, students develop 21st-century skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, leadership, creativity, and communication. The modules include opportunities to integrate technology through micro:bit coding projects (using block-based languages). During this workshop, upper elementary and middle school teachers will learn how to incorporate STEM, the Engineering Design Process, and micro:bit coding into their classrooms. No prior coding experience is necessary! These workshops are hosted by the Western Massachusetts CSTA and led by subject matter experts from the National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center. All participants will receive access to online curriculum materials.


November:


Thu. Nov. 14th 4:30-6:30 PM, MGHPCC, Holyoke. Anne Demallie of DESE hands-on presentation on DLCS licensure. 


December:

 

CS Ed Week. Dec. 9th-14th.


Holiday Party. Dec. 12th.





 


Monthly Meetings Sept-June: 2nd Thursdays, 4:30-6:30 pm at MGHPCC in Holyoke and online.

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2018-19 CSTA-Western Mass Chapter Officers

·      Co-President: Melissa Zeitz, Technology Teacher, Liberty Elementary School, Springfield

·      Co-President: Scott Wohlers, 5th grade teacher, Dryden School, Springfield

·      Vice-President and Social Media Manager: Lisa Manzi, Technology Teacher, Michael E. Smith Middle School, South Hadley

·      Treasurer: Dan Manseau, Technology Teacher, Boland Elementary, Springfield

·      Secretary: Denise Matuszczak,  Administrator of Digital Learning and Assessment, Springfield Public Schools

·      Web Manager: Kevin Murphy, Frontier Regional School

·      Faculty Advisor: Beryl Hoffman, Elms College



The Computer Science Teachers Association -Western Massachusetts Chapter was formed in 2013. CSTA is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. CSTA provides opportunities for K-12 teachers and students to better understand the computing disciplines and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and learn.


The mission of the Chapter is to further the mission of CSTA and to:
  • Promote professional development & leadership of CS teachers
  • Create a community of CS teachers in Western Massachusetts
  • Share CS education, knowledge, and expertise
  • Evaluate CS teachers needs
To get involved:
  1. Join our googlegroup listserv by emailing: cstawmass@gmail.com
  2. Join us at our next meeting
  3. Become a member of CSTA here: http://www.csta.acm.org/index.html
  4. "Like" us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cstawma
  5. "Follow" us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cstawm  (@cstawm)