UPCOMING: More opportunities for Maryland teachers to dig deeper into computer science and build a local community of CS teachers:

1. OPEN NOW: Girls Go Cyberstart registration is open https://www.girlsgocyberstart.org/ This fun, free, and interactive online program is composed of digital challenges to introduce high school girls to cybersecurity. Over 10K high school girls have taken part and loved the Girls Go CyberStart program so far! High school teachers across the US can help find the next cybersecurity superstars by becoming Advisors and running a Girls Go CyberStart Club in their school. No experience needed.
2. FEBRUARY 22, 2020: Southern MD CSTA will host a full day of CS teacher activities. Stay tuned for details.
3. APRIL 20, 2020 Save the date for the next, annual MD CS Summit
4. JULY 6-10, 2020 Save the date for a week of summer PD for all Maryland CS teachers, counselors and administrators.

PREVIOUSLY:

• DECEMBER 4: CSTA-MD Southern MD hosted a meetup for teachers at Westlake High school, 3300 Middletown Rd, Waldorf, MD, 12/4/19 from 6:30-8pm. All grade levels welcome. December's meeting is hosted by Tom Thompson. Meeting details: Westlake High School, 3300 Middletown Rd, Waldorf, MD 20603, Room 108. 
•  NOVEMBER 16: Mt. St. Mary's College hosted a computing teacher meetup with CSTA-Maryland around coding with kids and artificial intelligence for everyone. Saturday, November 16th, 2019 9am - 2pm. Location: Mt. St. Mary's College Frederick Campus, 5350 Spectrum Dr, Frederick, MD 21703. 
• NOVEMBER 8: Salisbury University offered a full day of CS professional development on the Eastern Shore for teachers of CS in K-12. Friday, November 8th, 2019 8:30am – 3:00pm Location: Frederick Room Academic Commons Salisbury University. View the  PD Poster for Salisbury Nov 8 for details.
• DECEMBER 9-15: Be sure to participate in the Hour of Code! There is something new for everyone. Do you want some pointers? Join a webinar for Maryland teachers to share their favorite activities and ideas.

Maryland colleges and universities with education programs:

Consider applying for a grant to add computer science to your education programs.

The RFP for Round #2 grants for fall 2019 are finished. The timeline for application was extended for proposals to Monday, November 25, 2019

The RFP for Round #3 grants for spring 2020 will be coming in the spring.

Grants are available to build a secondary CS pathway, or to integrate CS and computational thinking into K-8, or choose a MCCE_Preservice_CS_education_mini_grant.pdf to enable professional development and collaboration within your department of education to update existing courses.

This RFP and related documents are located at cs4md.com. 

--- Learn Computer Science --- Change the World --- Hour of Code ---

Remember that the hour of code is available all year long as a way to demonstrate a variety of applications of computing from AI to journalism to robotics. The hour of code is a great activity to bring families together to experience code together and see that it is something that everyone can do. Free family event planning kits are available at familyCodeNight.org. Do you want some advice from other Maryland teachers on great ways to participate in the Hour of Code?

If you missed the webinar on Zoom ( it started late because of some technical difficulties) watch the recording to find out more. (see below for details)

Some of our favorite activities:

• Dance party was a big hit last year, try the updated 2019 version this year! (available in over 20 different languages)
• Pre-readers will enjoy Code Monkey Jr, Codable and Code Spark Academy as well as many more plugged and unplugged activities. (find teacher guides at hourofcode.com)
• Elementary students without computer access can try out The Little Artist inside your computer, Play with the Scratch Jr Cat, Hardware vs Software, ELA writing and coding and more.
• Upper elementary, middle and high schoolers have a wide variety of options. Just go to hourofcode.com and select a subject, grade level, and other options.

Upcoming cohorts for secondary CS teacher certification

• COMING IN WINTER 2019 and SPRING 2020: Become a certified secondary CS teacher, 1-day workshop followed by online coursework 
  Read more about the MCCE grant program to reward teachers who add on a CS endorsement.