Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science.
The event was originally conceived by Computing in the Core, a non-partisan advocacy coalition of associations, corporations, scientific societies, and other non-profits seeking to elevate the national profile of computer science education in K-12 within the US and work toward ensuring that computer science is one of the core academic subjects in K-12 education. This year's events is hosted by Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to expanding computer science education.
To celebrate CSEDWeek, computer science teachers are invited to:
What are YOU doing for CSEDWeek? Join with teachers, students, parents and others who are participating in CSEdWeek 2014 activities and events. Submit your event or activity to tell us what you're doing to celebrate CSEdWeek.
Sample Events
Competition
Problem solving competition
Poster session
Design a music video competition and present to a larger group of students
Have a robot tug-of-war - students design and build robots for a tug-of-war
Nightly challenges students submit online. First correct submission wins a prize.
Career Awareness
Reach out to your local four year CS department chair about having your students visit a university.
Reach out to your local chamber of commerce to have students visit a local employer that depends on computing professionals.
Invite alumni who are working in a CS-related career (keep it broad) to come talk to students. Several alumni from various occupations works well.
Have students interview their parents and grandparents. Ask them how computing has impacted their lives. Then have students provide their own perspectives on how computing has impacted their lives.
Find a local Computer Science Teachers Association Chapter and plan a joint event
Awards Ceremony
Hold a birthday party to celebrate Grace Hopper’s birthday, December 9. Use it as a way to celebrate the role of women in Computer Science.
Hold a raffle, where students can win prizes, announce certificate awards for CS accomplishments.
Find a local vendor to sponsor a “give away” for awards
Presentation
Do an open house of your course offerings for parents, explain how CS connects to 21st century jobs. Host a tour of your computer facility with students as guides
Engage a speaker on a Computer Science topic Have students demonstrate the work that they have been doing
Arrange a student visit to a neighboring school to demonstrate what you have been doing and see their work
Set up a technology fair
Find a local Computer Science Teachers Association Chapter and plan a joint event
Have a movie evening (Suggested titles: War Games, TRON, Social Network)
Hands On
Include your students’ families by inviting them to school to learn about CS. Some examples: Have a “Scratch Day” where parents come and learn Scratch from you and your students.
Declare a “Bring your own device day” to solve computational problems available online, show your favorite game and explain how computing makes that game possible, etc.
Set up a workshop for a specific topic: Scratch, Alice, Green Foot where students can try their hand at designing
Hold a Twitter event
Gaming
Find a local university with a game design class and volunteer to test and critique the games
Have a “Game Hour” where students can play and compare their favorite games
Invite students to compete in a specific set of games
