--- 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.

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. 

Scratch & Scratch Jr. workshops

Coming again in spring 2020.

Scratch is a free program that can be downloaded or used online to create endless imaginative stories, games, presentations, and simulations.

Scratch Jr. is a free app that allows young children (ages 5-7) to program their own interactive stories and games. In this creative environment, they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves on a computer.

BootUp PD is coming to Maryland to help build sustainable programs based on project-based, integrated content. Contact MCCE for more information if your district is interested.

PBS KIDS ScratchJr is a free tablet app available in both English and Spanish that incorporates PBS KIDS media properties. Kids solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively using technology. With PBS KIDS ScratchJr, kids aren’t just learning to code, they are coding to learn.