Structured Cooperative Learning Activities for the CS classroom: (Chinma Uche and Fran Trees): This session will introduce practical and proven educational strategies that will improve engagement and achievement. The basic principles of good cooperative learning are that: 1) The learning task promotes teamwork and students experience themselves as being on the same side; 2) Each student is held accountable for their individual contribution; 3) Students participate about equally; and 4) Many students are engaged at once. Several structured cooperative learning activities will be incorporated in this session.
GameMaker (Adrienne Decker): In this workshop, we will go over the basics of how to create a simple game using GameMaker. GameMaker is a programming environment that utilizes a drag and drop interface to create video games. This presentation will be appropriate for anyone who has not had experience using GameMaker before, however, it will not be an introduction to computer programming concepts. During the presentation, we will discuss various examples of what types of games students would be able to create using GameMaker. This presentation will be appropriate for Middle School and High School teachers alike.
CPS Panel (Eric Allatta, Barbara Froehlich, Brian Fuschetto, Fran Trees, Chinma Uche): Computer Science Principles is scheduled to launch as an AP Course in 2016-2017. The course has been piloted for the last 4 years in high schools and universities across the United States. WE are fortunate to have five pilot instructors in our area who will share with you their experiences and advice on various aspects of CSP so that you can be prepared to plan and launch your own CSP course in your school.
NJ CS: Where are we? (Daryl Detrick) Over the last two years, CSTANJ has been very active in promoting Computer Science Education in New Jersey through professional development and advocacy work. These efforts have helped to: expand Computer Science programs in many schools, create working partnerships between K-12 teachers and college educators, establish relationships with other professional organizations (NJEA, NJSBA, NJPSA,etc), begin discussions with NJDOE about 3+3+STEM, and promote legislative bills to enhance computer science (A2070, A2597 and S2032). This discussion will update you on these efforts and let you know how you can get involved.
POGIL (Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning): This workshop provides an introduction to POGIL (Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning) and explores the benefits of this approach to active learning in the Computer Science classroom. Participants will experience a POGIL-based learning environment, analyze activities to understand how guided inquiry is structured in a POGIL classroom, and consider classroom facilitation and other issues related to the implementation of POGIL. Active learning methodologies are appropriate for both middle school and high school level classrooms.
PyGame (Lars Sorensen): Pygame is a module for the Python programming language that allows the user to create 2D games and animation. In this workshop we will explore the basics of Pygame, setting up a game window, understanding game loops and doing simple animation. In the second half of the workshop we will explore more advanced gaming techniques like collision detection and we will explore a Pygame implementation of the puzzle game Tetris. Knowing a bit of Python can’t hurt, but this workshop will assume no knowledge of Python at the outset.
The NEW AP LABS(Brandon Horn): This session will explain the new labs requirement for AP CS and will explore the 3 labs provided by the College Board. An overview of each lab will be presented including topic covered and potential placements within an AP CS course. Potential AP CS Exam questions will be discussed. Participants will have the opportunity to work through selected exercises from each lab.
Robotics in the Middle School: (Mayra Bachrach) This workshop will explore how to get started with Robotics at the middle school level using the Lego Mindstorms systems. Available classroom resources, professional development, cost and funding options will be discussed. The Mindstorms EV3 robot base kit will be used for the hands-on activity. A laptop with the home edition of the EV3 software will be required to participate in the hands-on activity. A link to the software will be provided prior to the workshop.