Spring/Summer PD 2021 for Middle and High School
PLEASE NOTE: All PD is currently online and free for MD public school teachers. Many are free for all MD teachers. Scholarships available for others.
You can find professional development for:
- Computer Science Discoveries (ECS, FOCS): introduction for new teachers, follow-up for current teachers, units 3-4
- AP Computer Science Principles: introduction for new teachers, follow-up for current teachers
- AP Computer Science-A and Java: introduction for new teachers, follow-up for current teachers, app development in Java
- Python programming: introduction for new teachers, follow-up for current teachers, advanced course
- Artificial intelligence: Introduction for any teacher, Advanced AI with Python, Techquity and AI for middle school
- Cybersecurity: introduction and basics, high school full-year course curriculum
- Middle School CS: Scratch programming, computational thinking and more.
- Other sessions: Praxis study sessions for earning certification, counselor PD, Equity workshop.
Upcoming sessions for Spring 2021:
- Integrating AI for all grade levels and subject areas 1 CPD credit (15 hours: Monday and Thursday evenings. Offered every season. Meets twice a week from 7-8pm each night Register
- Praxis preparation for the CS 5652 exam starting Saturdays offered every season (5-6 Saturdays) 8:30am-11am Register
- Monthly Meet-Ups: Groups of teachers who are all teaching the same classes get together during the school year to go over the upcoming units, share resources, and discuss challenges and solutions. Throughout the year.
- 1st Thursday of each month 4-5pm. CSTA-MD chapter meetings. Open to all MD teachers. Must be a member of the CSTA to participate, maryland.csteachers.org
- 3rd Thursday of each month 4-5pm. AP CS-A Java programming. Register
- 4th Thursday of each month 4-5pm Scratch programming. Register
Summer CS PD for Middle and High School 2021
PLEASE NOTE: All summer PD for 2021 is online. Teacher stipends may be offered to attendees who are approved, through their local school system. (this is a decision made by each individual school system)
Computer Science workshops will be offered at NO COST to all Maryland Public school teachers who are approved by their district and accepted into the 2020-21 program. Private school teachers who serve under-represented and under-served communities may be qualified for scholarships Others can participate for a fee. Apply now!
| CS Discoveries (also called FOCS or ECS in some districts) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Code.org CS Discoveries - full course | Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 6 - 10th grade students. Mapped to CTSA standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem-solving, programming, physical computing, user-centered design, and data, while inspiring students as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems. This course is also known in Maryland as FOCS. (30+ hours of PD with 4 follow-up sessions during the school year. ) 3 CPD credits. Choose either July 5-9 or July 19-23 2021 8:30-4:30 each day with mixed online and independent time. | Register |
| CS Discoveries Units 3-4 | Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 6 - 10th grade students. Mapped to CSTA standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science. This workshop focuses on the programming and design process used in Units 3-4. Unit 3 - Interactive Animations and Games, Unit 4 - The Design Process (30+ hours of PD with 4 follow-up sessions during the school year. ) 3 CPD credits. (35 hours total: Date August 2-6; 8:30am-4:30pm each day with mixed online and independent time. | Register |
| CS Discoveries Follow Up | For those who have already taught CS-Discoveries, this 7.5+ hour update workshop will cover updates to the Code.org 21-2 curriculum with successful strategies for engaging students, and an opportunity to share best practices. 0.5 CPD credits (7.5 hours total: July 28-July 30, 3 hours a day for 3 days) | Register |
| AP CS-Principles | ||
| AP(R) CS-Principles with Code.org - full course | Computer Science Principles is an AP(R) level course that was designed to cover the breadth of computer science for students with a wide variety of interests. Using the Code.org curriculum that includes online units and a teacher dashboard, It can count as a tech credit in Maryland or as part of the CS pathway. (30+ hours of PD with 4 follow-up sessions during the school year. ) 3 CPD credits. July 19-23 2021 8:30-4:30 each day with mixed online and independent time. | Register |
| CS Principles Follow Up | Experienced CS-Principles teachers are invited for an update on successful strategies for engaging students, resources and projects you can use to prepare for AP(R) and how to optimize the use of College Board materials. 1 CPD credit (15 hours total: August 2-August 5, 4 hours a day for 4 days) | Register |
| AP CS-A and Java | ||
| Introduction to Java | Use the highly-regarded, free CS Awesome curriculum to support teaching Java. This evening session that meets 3 times a week will focus on learning basic Java skills for those who are new to the programming language. 1 CPD credit (15 hours total: Choose either evening June 28 - July 9; 3 evenings a week for 2 weeks; or half days July 12 - July 16; 4 hours a day for 5 days. Mixed online and independent time) |
Register for evenings or daytimes |
| AP CS-A Java | Have you already been introduced to the Java programming language? Use the highly-regarded new, free CS Awesome curriculum to support teaching Java and AP(R) CS-A. This 2 week long, the part-time online session focuses on Java as it is used in the AP(R) course. Free curriculum with many creative projects. 2 CPD credits. (30 hours total: Choose either evening July 12-August 6; 3 evenings a week for 4 weeks; or half days July 26 - August 6; 4 hours a day for 2 weeks. Mixed online and independent time) |
Register for evenings or daytimes |
| AP CSA Java Follow-Up | Do you already teach AP(R) CS-A Java? Come for this 7.5 hour update on successful strategies for engaging students, projects to prepare for AP(R) and best uses of the College Board test and materials. 0.5 CPD credits. (7.5 hours total; August 4- August 6; 1.5 hrs synch and 1.5 hrs asynch each day) | Register |
| Building apps with Java | Apply skills from AP Computer Science A to program features and classes in Java used in Android mobile application development. Key Java programming language features: structured data arrays and common classes in the Java Collections Framework; classes and interfaces; inheritance and polymorphism. Students will apply these Java features within Android Studio to develop programs and deployable Android apps. Several hands-on projects are included where students design and develop original apps. | Register |
| Python programming | ||
| Python Programming | Get started using Python in an introductory programming class or your AP(R) CS-Principles class. Learn about the Carnegie Mellon free, interactive system for teaching Python. 1 CPD credit (15 hours total: July 12-15, 4 hours a day for 4 days) | Register |
| Python Programming Follow up | Teachers already familiar with Python programming are invited to share resources and best practices while engaging in hands-on learning that can be used in the classroom. 0.5 CPD credits (7.5 hours total: July 1-2, 4 hours a day for 2 days ) | Register |
| Python Programming ADVANCED | Teachers already familiar with the Python programming language can dig deeper into applications of Python in music, art, cyber and artificial intelligence for an upper-level high school class with all new comprehensive, free curriculum. 1 CPD credit (15 hours total: August 9-12, 4 hours a day for 4 days) | Register |
| Python Programming ADVANCED for AI | Use advanced online programming environments for high-level artificial intelligence development and analysis using Python with this free curriculum. 1 CPD credit ( 15 hours total: August 2-5, 4 hours a day for 4 days) | Register |
| Artificial Intelligence | ||
| Artificial Intelligence Introduction | Are you new to Artificial Intelligence? Are you curious to know how you can incorporate some of these high-interest ideas and engaging activities in any class? Join this online class of interactive activities from MindSpark Learning and IBM with local online discussion groups to build your understanding of how Artificial Intelligence affects all of us and how we can support the students of today to be informed consumers and creators. 1 CPD credit (15 hours total: June 28-July 16, or July 19- Aug 6. 2hrs synch and 3hrs asynch a week for 3 weeks) |
Register for June28 Register for July19 |
| Artificial Intelligence Follow Up | Have you already explored the basics of Artificial Intelligence? Would you like to connect with other Maryland teachers to try out the newest online tools and curriculum and develop a follow-up lesson plan to dig deeper into this exciting area? 1 CPD credit (15 hours total: August 9- August 13, 6 hrs synch, 9 hrs asynch) | Register |
| Techquity | Techquity - Teaching Equity in Technology through Artificial Intelligence. This unit for middle through high school students offers many hands-on engaging activities while highlighting the inequities that technology can foster if not made with care. Use lessons that explore innovations in computing and raise awareness of issues of equity and impact 0.5 CPD credits (7.5 hours total: dates/times tbd ) | Register |
| Cybersecurity | ||
| Introduction to Cybersecurity | Learn the foundations of cybersecurity: key vocabulary, core concepts, connections to computer science, and an overview of careers and opportunities. 1 CPD credit. (15 hours total: July __, 8:30-11:30am each day with mixed online and independent time) | Register |
| Teaching Cybersecurity in High School | This workshop will prepare high school instructors to deliver full year cybersecurity curricula. This free curriculum at teachcyber.org is based on the robust cybersecurity framework to provide a broad and deep understanding of cybersecurity concepts. | Register |
| Middle School Computer Science | ||
| Introduction to Scratch programming | With Scratch, you can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations. Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for life in the 21st century. This workshop is a basic introduction to Scratch for K-8 teachers and will combine synchronous sessions, independent work, and small group collaborations. 1.0 CPD credits (15 hours: July 6-9 10 am -2 pm 4 days, 4 hours a day) | Register |
| Scratch in Science and Social Studies | Use Scratch to create interactive stories, games, and animations in any subject area. This workshop builds on the basic introduction to Scratch for K-8 teachers and will combine synchronous sessions, independent work, and small group collaborations. 1.0 CPD credits (15 hours total: July 12 & 13 8:30-4:30, 8 hours a day for 2 days) | Register |
| Scratch Encore | This session is designed for those who already know the basics of Scratch, and want to dig deeply into high-quality lessons that were designed with support, engagement, and differentiation in mind. 1 CPD credit (16 hours: August 2-5 8:30-12:30, 4 hours a day for 4 days, blended synch and asynch) | Register |
| Computational Thinking for Middle School Educators | Examine computational thinking concepts in-depth, explore how they are included as part of the curriculum, and create opportunities to utilize these concepts to strengthen learning and engagement for all students. Open to all MS educators, especially those teaching courses that meet the CL/T requirement. 1 CPD credit (15 hours: July 7 & 8; 8:30-4:30; 2 days) | Register |
| Other courses to support CS | ||
| Praxis Study workshops |
If you have already taught at least one section of computer science and are interested in the add-on endorsement to teach CS by taking the Praxis test, attend our ongoing webinars to help with your studies. If you are interested you can also apply for the grant program to become part of a study cohort. Choose: |
for any session.
|
| Strategies for Effective and Inclusive CS Teaching for Equity | Attract, retain, and support diverse students to your CS program. Significant disparities exist in enrollment especially in advanced CS courses for females, underrepresented minorities (URM), and economically disadvantaged students. This session will help educators to identify and address some of the root causes of these disparities with research-based professional development. 1 CPD credit (6 Wednesday evenings 6-7 pm from July 7- August 11 plus online work 15 hours total synchronous and asynchronous time) |
Register |
| Counselors for Computing | A workshop that focuses on an understanding of the disciplines and career awareness in computing and cyber. coming in 2021 0.5 CPD credits | Register |
PD for the 2020-21 School Year.
- JUST-IN-TIME sessions: Help you get your class set up, get access to all of the online materials, and go over the first unit of each course. Starts this week. Choose your session. (see below and on the sign-up form for details)
- MENTORS: You can connect with an experienced teacher who will answer your questions by email and meet with you if needed to help you work through any problems in the beginning of the year. Starts the second week of September.
- Just-in-time sessions are about helping teachers get started: You can find the sign up forms here cs4md.com/mentor for these classes and to request others.
- Computer Science Discoveries (also called FOCS or ECS)
- Computer Science Principles (usually an AP class)
- AP Computer Science - A Java
- Python programming with CMU
Coming soon
| Basics of CS | If a fifth grade level of reading is considered basic literacy, shouldn't everyone have the same level of understanding of computer science? Dig into some of the core concepts in computer science in this Book Study: The complete middle school guide to everything you should know about CS ( dates TBD if there is demand) | Register |
| Basics of cyber |
