Our goal is to ensure that all students have equitable access to computer science through teacher trainings and materials
Program Details
A STEM Initiative in Computer Science
CS@112 creates a hub of professional learning, technology and resources to support computer science education in Southwest Washington schools. We support educators who teach dedicated computer science classes as well as those who are new to computer science and want to learn to integrate CS principles and standards into their existing curriculum. The goal of CS@112 is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to engage in computer science through equitable access to teacher training and materials.
Program Benefits
This initiative leverages existing structures of computer science in the region and bolsters access to all school districts ESD112 serves by:
- Providing computer science professional development in person and online
- Providing computer science equipment kits for loan to educators
- Connecting high school students and teachers to high-tech business and industry through a partnership with Career Connect SW Network
- Providing professional development for administrators and counselors on computer science
- Facilitating opportunities for professional learning communities around computer science
- Supporting computer science professional learning and networking statewide as part of the AESD WINforCS Initiative
- Sharing learning opportunities and resources through our newsletter (sign up below!)
STEM Cutting Edge
ESD 112 Region Schools are creating meaningful opportunities to learn computer science.
CS Loan Program
Computer Science Loan Program
ESD 112 has a number of robotics and computer science materials available for loan on a first come, first served basis. You don’t have to be a computer science or robotics expert – just an educator interested in integrating computer science and computational thinking instruction into your classroom! Our kits support integration of computer science and computational thinking concepts across the curriculum from preschool through 12th grade, including students with special needs.
Materials like robots, paper circuits, and e-textiles aren’t necessary to integrate CS, but they can be a great help with inspiring and engaging your students in learning these concepts. The materials available are appropriate for various instructional levels – we’re happy to advise you on which materials to choose and how to get started. We’re also happy to hop on a call or Zoom in case you need help!
Eligibility and terms:
- ESD 112 region districts – All districts in our region may borrow materials, but preference is given to rural and remote districts and elementary or middle school classrooms.
- We want to give our teachers every advantage in effectively implementing computer science integration materials. Therefore, borrowers must have participated in professional learning around computer science. If you haven’t done so, we’ll enroll you in our online and asynchronous Basics of Computer Science Integration resource course before you borrow your materials.
- We ask that you fill out a very brief form at the beginning and end of the course to help us understand the impact of the program and obtain continued funding.
- Loan periods may be flexible, depending upon demand for materials.
Kits Available For Loan
Grade level categories below are only suggestions – many kits are usable across a wide span of ages. We’re happy to discuss your needs and match you with the right kits for your students and standards.
- Hummingbird Robotics Kits (grades 4+)
- Crazy Circuits Programming 101 (Arduino) (grades 4+)
- Sam Labs Maker Kits (grades 4+)
- Cubelets (grades 2+)
- Micro:bit kits (grades 4+)
- Lego Spike Prime (grades 2+)
- Intelino Smart Train (grades P-5)
- Cubetto (grades P-2)
- Botley (grades K-5)
- Sphero indi (grades P-5)
- Various paper circuits and e-textiles materials
Ready To Get Started?
These kits are available to all educators in our region who have attended a computer science or computational thinking training. Those who have not yet participated in these courses may choose from a variety of in-person or online, self-paced courses. Once educators have basic familiarity with integrating computer science principles, they are welcome to check out appropriate kits for their grade level and student population at no cost.
To reserve a kit, or to ask a question about any of our computer science equipment kits, please fill out this brief form and we’ll get back to you right away!
We’ll start a conversation and get you the materials and support you need to expose your students to computer science via these exciting materials!
Program Contacts
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