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ABC CREATE L.E.A.D.S. Elementary Computer Science/STEAM

Designed to amplify and accelerate ABC CREATE’s ongoing efforts, ABC CREATE L.E.A.D.S. will increase support for elementary CS/STEAM classroom integration to reach ALL learners; will extend CS/STEAM learning into communities to enhance access for underrepresented population; will develop and enhance community, education, and workforce relationships to strengthen CS/STEAM offerings and applicability; and will expand CS/STEAM across the region and state by sharing the pathways and actions that lead to the initiative’s successes.
VIEW ALL STORIES

STORIES OF IMPACT: Freeport School District
Developing Computational Thinking Skills through Coding and Robotics
in Elementary and Middle Grades

“Coding and robotics are a great way to teach computational thinking. It’s hands-on learning, and it’s exciting for kids to learn and do something different.” 

– Courtney Eiler, Library Science Teacher, Buffalo Elementary, Freeport Area School District  (Freeport Story Link)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Six months since our award, in partnership with CodeJoy, we've already reached over 2000 students and 115 teachers from 15 school districts.
With ABC CREATE L.E.A.D.S, ABC CREATE is able to address a challenge that districts have been facing of providing friendly and accessible entry points to learning about integrating computer science, coding, and robotics into elementary classrooms. Together with CodeJoy, ABC CREATE L.E.A.D.S. has designed a professional development (PD) model that begins with an interactive virtual field trip for students where students get to program real robots in the CodeJoy Studio. This allows educators to become familiar with computer science, robotics, coding, and engineering and excited about embarking on a path to learn more about how to bring these elements into their classrooms.
The next step is a virtual, hands-on professional development session offered to educators outside of school time (with paid stipend) where teachers learn how to use the Hummingbird Robotics Kit, the BBC Micro:bit, and/or the Finch Robot and explore classroom implementations. Following the virtual PD, teachers have the chance to come together at Robot Potlucks with their peers in person to share ideas, to ask questions, and to get inspiration from one another. Additionally, educators can further their learning about Hummingbird Robots by participating in sessions focusing on inputs to their robots including sensors, dials, and accelerometers.

CS4ALL SCRIPT TRAINING

All ABC CREATE partner school districts are invited and encouraged to participate in CS4All Script Program Training. The SCRIPT — the Strategic CSforALL Resource & Implementation Planning Tool — is a framework to guide teams of district administrators, school leaders, and educators through a series of collaborative visioning, self-assessment and goal-setting exercises to create or expand upon a computer science education implementation plan for their students.

SCRIPT training requires participation from district teams of no more than 10 people.  Required team members include at least the following:  
  • A district administrator/tribal department of education
  • A school leader
  • An educator that will teach or currently teaches CS
  • Another school-based member that can either be instructional or non-instructional (librarian, school counselor, etc.)
  • District Teams should include one representative for K-8 and one for 9-12 if possible. 

SCRIPT training elements include, but are not limited to the following: visions for Computer Science across grade levels, materials, curriculum, content, teacher capacity and development, partners, technology infrastructure and goal setting. The training is offered over about 10 hours and can be organized in short sessions or longer sessions.  The aim is that the training will be conducted within a 3 week period.  ABC CREATE Leaders will meet and decide on a timeline that will accommodate districts’ needs and schedules. The hope is that at least 4 districts’ teams will attend SCRIPT training together to share ideas and to support one another’s learning and planning.
ABC CREATE Districts served by ARIN 28 + WIU7:
Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024 AND Thursday, February 29, 2024
Location: Penn State New Kensington
Deadline: Register District Teams by February 13, 2024
ABC CREATE Districts served by AIU 3:
Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 AND Thursday, January 25, 2024
Location: Penn State New Kensington
Deadline: Register District Teams by January 9, 2024

K-2 CS/STEAM Playground

ABC CREATE L.E.A.D.S. will host two CS/STEAM Playgrounds for hands-on exploration of tech tools and interaction with tech experts - K-2 educators. Attendees will get to view the tech tools that are available to borrow, explore the devices they want to learn more about and talk to other educators (tech experts) who have used the devices in their classrooms. Attendees and tech experts will receive a $40 per hour stipend.
CS STEAM Playground at Freeport:
When: Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 5:30-8:00 PM
Where: South Buffalo Elementary, 562 Freeport Road, Freeport, PA 16229
What: Educators can explore tech tools and STEAM activities South Buffalo's Polar Express STEAM Night! 

Wrap-Around Coaching

ABC CREATE L.E.A.D.S. will provide a CS/STEAM Coach to help fill the gap that exists for districts who cannot afford an in-district CS/STEAM Coach. District coaches will be available to assist educators, who have attended CodeJoy professional development, with their first solo Micro:bit, Hummingbird or Finch project in their own classroom. For out-of-school time coaching (mini-pathway writing assistance, Robot Potlucks), district CS/STEAM coaches will earn a stipend of $40 per hour. 

ABC CREATE is currently providing support through the Ambassadors’ Coaching Network. This team of educators meets 4 times per year to 
  • Contribute to the design of the ABC CREATE L.E.A.D.S. Wrap-Around Coaching Model
  • Facilitate discussion around best practices in coaching
  • Explore ways to work across and within districts to support educators who may not have an official STEAM coach or integration specialist or anyone in a similar role
  • Seek opportunities to learn and grow along with like-minded peers

New Mini-Pathways

As part of the L.E.A.D.S. initiative, ABC CREATE will work with educators to create mini-pathways that can be shared with other ABC CREATE educators and beyond. Educators will be provided with a template and guidance from the CS/STEAM Coach and district coaches. Mini-pathway writing sessions will be held after school and attendees will receive a $40 per hour stipend and dinner!

Connect with us:

 Melinda Spampinato
ABC CREATE Educational Consultant
​[email protected] | ​724-334-6138
Penn State New Kensington
3550 7th Street Road
New Kensignton, PA 15068