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.

1. 4/20 Mark your calendar for the annual MD CS summit. Learn what’s going on all across in the state in K-12. Registration coming soon.
2. Summer CS PD July 6-10 and 20-24. PLEASE HELP US PLAN what PD would benefit you most. Note: Code.org PD is open for registration now.
3. August AI teacher workshop
4. The next cohort of teachers accepted into the Praxis CS study program will be April 1, 2020. Apply for the free study program and see if you qualify to earn a stipend for completing the program and earning a CS endorsement.

1. You can play picoCTF all year round for fun, exploration and practice https://picoctf.com/
2. Lots of great summer experiences for students at College Park
3. Use any of these free resources in your classroom to introduce ideas about artificial intelligence:

• ECS Alternate Curriculum Unit on Artificial Intelligence
• Online Course: AI and ME (ReadyAI)
• Online Course: AI4All Open Learning (AI4All)
• Online Course: Elements of AI (Reaktor + University of Helsinki)
• Many more resources here at ai4k12.org

5. Java review for the AP CS A exam https://runestone.academy/runestone/books/published/apcsareview/index.html
6. Khan academy review for the AP CS P exam https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/ap-computer-science-principles

1. Amazon future engineer program with Edhesive. Get free curriculum and support for qualifying schools. https://edhesive.com/amazon

Completed events

• 2/22 SOMD CSTA meetup 9am-3pm at the Tech Center in Leonardtown, MD: free, fun, collaboration and learning. all welcome! Sign up at bit.ly/2RQM78t
• St. Charles Hackathon. For new and experienced high school students. Registration is coming soon for the event on Feb 29-March 1 noon to noon. HackSCHS.info
• Girls Go Cyberstart. A great place for new beginners! Open access to level 1 is from 1/13 to 2/14 followed by the actual game starting 2/10. It’s fun and free and anyone can try out the practice materials

--- 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.