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Computer Science

Grant Wood AEA #CSForGWAEA gwaea.org/computerscience Grant Wood AEA has an interdisciplinary computer science team committed to supporting area schools in addressing computer science standards. Area schools should contact their Digital Learning consultant for more information on how to get started. Sign Up For Our Newsletter!  Click here to view archived newsletters.

IAComputerScienceWeekThis year, Iowa's Computer Science Professional Development Week (CS PD Week) will be June 12-16, 2023 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Registration for this in-person event provides PD & materials, stipends, lodging and several meals during the week. Additional information and links for registration can be found on the CS PD Week web page.

Standards

The Iowa State Board of Education adopted voluntary statewide Computer Science standards in June 2018.  The standards include five concept areas and seven practices. The standards progression chart and abridged standards document are both good resources for educators.

Requirements

Computer Science Requirements For Districts (Click to Enlarge)

Computer Science in Iowa [This graphic breaks down the timeline for districts, click for P D F)What you need to know:

  1. Each public school district and nonpublic school shall develop and implement a K-12 computer science plan by July 1, 2022.

2. One-half unit of computer science incorporating the standards shall by offered, beginning July 1, 2022 in high school.

3. Computer science instruction incorporating the standards shall be taught, beginning July 1, 2023, in at least one grade level 1-6.

4. Computer science instruction incorporating the standards shall be offered, beginning July 1, 2023, in at least one grade level 7-8.

Supports

Grant Wood AEA is part of the Statewide Iowa AEA CS Team. Please visit the team's website at bit.ly/IowaAEACS for SCRIPT resources, CS standards and unpacking information, current updates, and statewide computer science programs.

2022-23 Funding Opportunities

Time Sensitive Computer Science Professional Development & Funding Opportunities!  The Iowa Department of Education has appropriated funds to help districts meet the computer science requirements included in House File 2629. Please learn more in the Important Computer Science Updates & Funding Opportunities document.

Professional Learning & Events

Professional learning, events, and information to strengthen computer science instruction.

ℹ️ Curriculum & Club Resources

District/Educator teams are encouraged to use the TEC Rubric developed by Canon Lab to review curricular and club resources prior to adopting them for instruction.

🤖 Physical Computing Resources

  • Want to learn more about our physical computing demo kits? Complete our short Physical Computing Interest Survey now. We'll follow up with a curated list of physical computing devices for you to consider and test drive.
  • Our Physical Computing Toolbox has resources & lessons to teach CS with robots, micro-controllers, and robotics kits! Main Menu of the Physical Computing Toolbox listing all items available for use in classrooms.

🤜🏿 🤛🏼 Professional Organizations & Networking

🎓 Computer Science Endorsement Programs

📨 Contact the Team