Creative Computer Science Education: A Physical Computing Workshop

Teachers grades 1-12 are invited to attend this PSCSTA physical computing workshop at the Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA. The event is free and open to the public. Two separate tracks (Grades 1-5 and 6-12) will show how physical computing using Micro Bits for younger students and Arduinos for older students can be a great way to get learners excited about the possibilities of Computer Science. Teachers will experience how making artistic and creative systems using code and circuitry can help appeal to a diverse student population. Each track will be capped at 20 participants. Each participant will receive either a micro:bit or Arduino based on their chosen track. Lunch will be provided. 3 STEM clock hours will be available. Each participant will need to provide their own laptop. Participants in the 6-12 track should have the Arduino IDE installed prior to the event.

Presenters:

Grades 1-5:

• Jacqueline Russell is a Product Manager for Microsoft and has worked at Microsoft since 2005 in various groups focused on technology in education. She is passionate about using technology to enable innovative learning experiences and bring increased creativity to teaching and learning. Jacqueline has worked in the tech industry for 20 years as a developer, IT consultant and product manager. She has a computer science degree from Amherst College and an MBA from INSEAD. Outside of work, Jacqueline enjoys reading, playing squash and making and coding with her two young kids.

Grades 6-12:

• Chad Norman and Terri Sligar are teachers in the Mount Vernon School District, each with over 25 years of experience. Their instruction focuses on fostering understanding of Computer Science through engaging and creative projects. Currently, they are working to develop progressive methods for teaching coding and engineering concepts using Arduino based microcontrollers. They have presented workshops and exhibits on this topic at multiple Northwest Council for Computers in Education (NCCE) conferences, Stanford University Graduate School of Education (Fablearn), Washington Association of Educators for the Talented and Gifted state conference, Bay Area Maker Faire, Linuxfest, and ESD 189. Currently, one of their interactive physical computing projects, Magic Mandala, is on exhibit at the Pacific Science Center’s, “What is Reality” pavilion. Their curriculum on kinetic sculpture is currently being taught in middle school and high school programs.