Early Fall Updates

9/12/2025

Unleash Your Students' Creativity with Code/Art!

Join Kelsey from CodeJoy for a hands-on professional development workshop focused on a Code/Art lesson that teaches students how to create a digital self-portrait using simple JavaScript.

This workshop is designed to help you engage and inspire all students, with a special focus on encouraging girls in STEM. You'll learn how to guide your students through this creative project and discover more about Code/Art's mission to increase the number of girls studying computer science.

When: Saturday, Oct. 25th, 10am-1pm ET
Where: Virtual (Zoom)
Who: This session is open to all Southwestern PA teachers (in school and OOST)

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CodeJoy FREE Micro:bit in the Wild Asynchronous Video Course

The "Micro:bit in the Wild" course integrates computer science with hands-on environmental activities, fostering a deep connection between learners and their surroundings. By engaging with tools like the BBC micro:bit, students can explore real-world phenomena such as weather patterns, animal migrations, and ecological systems, while developing critical thinking and coding skills.

When: At your convenience!
Where: Online, Asynchronous
Who: Designed for 3rd-12th teachers interested in environmental literacy and/or computer science
What Else? This is a FREE, 3 hours and 21 minute course; participants will receive 2, free micro:bits.

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CodeJoy FREE Student Sessions

CodeJoy FREE Student Shows for this school year are on the calendar!

Robot Garden
Robot Haunted House
Robot Mini Golf
Robot Memories
Robot Aerobics

Robot Romeo
Robot DJ
Robot Relaxation
Robot Rovers

Bring your class, your grade level, or your whole school!

When: View the calendar to view available dates and time
Where: Online (Zoom)
Who: Ideal for 3rd-8th grade students - Beginner to intermediate coders

VIEW CALENDAR + REGISTER

TransformEd (AIU3) Upcoming Opportunities

The 2025-2026 transformED Professional Development Calendar is full of practical, high-impact FREE learning opportunities that will spark innovation in your classroom.

Check out these September PD opportunities:

Build, Fly, Code, Compete: An Introduction to Drones
- What: Explore flight basics, block coding, and how to bring drones into your classroom.
- When: Monday, September 22 · 8:30am - 3:30pm EDT
- Where: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 East Waterfront Drive Homestead, PA 15120
Producing Accessible Digital Docs, Decks, & Videos: ADA Title II
- What: Create accessible digital materials that meet new ADA rules.
- When: Tuesday, September 23 · 8:30am - 3:30pm EDT
- Where: Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 East Waterfront Drive Homestead, PA 15120
Get Hyped About Hydroponics, Tuesday, September 30 • 8:30 AM (at Fluxspace)
- What: Discover hydroponics for schools, including resources and related lessons (and enjoy a hydroponically grown salad bar for lunch)
- When: Tuesday, September 30 · 8:30am - 3:30pm EDT
- Where: Fluxspace, 401 Greentree Road Pittsburgh, PA 15220

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Consortium for Public Education Student Sustainability Design Challenge (SSDC)

The Student Sustainability Design Challenge (SSDC) is a 5-month-long program for both middle and high school students, exposing them to careers in sustainability as they use project-based learning to develop solutions to local challenges in their communities. The program begins with a kickoff in the fall, with students ultimately presenting their ideas to sustainability experts in the spring. Throughout the program, students connect directly with sustainability professionals from across industries; they visit businesses and organizations to see sustainability practices in action; and they develop key employability skills while collaborating to design community-focused solutions to real challenges.

When and Where: Both programs will launch this fall, with a kickoff on October 29th at Washington and Jefferson University (Washington County), and another kickoff on November 13th at Rodef Shalom Congregation (Allegheny County).

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The Global Impact Forum 2025

The Global Impact Forum (TGIF) 2025 is about bridging the readiness gap - the growing disconnect between what schools teach and what the workforce truly needs in the age of AI. Explore how education and workforce systems must evolve alongside, amidst, and sometimes despite the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.

When: November 3 - 5, 2025
Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Who: Educators, employees/leaders, students

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High School Student Spotlight at The Global Impact Forum (TGIF) 2025

This free, one-day opportunity will bring together nearly 200 high school students across Pennsylvania to explore STEM and AI workshops and connect with educators, innovators, and industry leaders from across the region.

There are two ways for students to participate:
Student Showcase + Workshops

Students present a project or idea during the afternoon Showcase
Participate in hands-on STEM/AI workshops
Enjoy lunch and attend the TGIF keynote

Workshops Only

Students participate in the morning workshops, lunch, and keynote
Opportunity to explore the Showcase as attendees (without presenting)

Why Encourage Your Students to Apply?

Network with visionary leaders from higher education, industry, and community organizations—including Astrobotic, Carnegie Mellon University, Duolingo, Google, The Gates Foundation, The Grable Foundation, the PA Department of Education, and many more.
Showcase their projects and ideas to an audience passionate about global change—opening doors to mentorship, collaboration, and future opportunities.
Be inspired by a global forum focused on workforce readiness, innovation, and education.

When: Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM (lunch provided)
Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Who: High School Students

LEARN MORE + APPLY

SPOTLIGHT FLYER

Remake Learning Network Assembly

This is a FREE immersive, interactive showcase of bold ideas & bright minds shaping the future of learning. Explore innovations from classrooms, out-of-school time programs, libraries, museums, and more!

When: Friday, September 26 · 10am - 2pm EDT
Where: Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
Who: Educators and students

2025 PETE & C 2026

PETE&C offers an unmatched professional development experience with 300+ learning opportunities tailored to a varied audience. Designed to empower educators, technologists, and school leaders with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to drive change.

When: February 1–4, 2026
Where: Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA
Who: Teachers and Instructional Coaches, Tech Directors and IT Staff, Media & Library Specialists, LEA Administrators and Support Staff

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2025 CSforAllPA - Collaborative Futures: CS+AI Summit - CANCELLED

This event will bring together educators, administrators, and counselors to share ideas, exchange strategies, and collaboratively develop action plans to expand access to computer science (CS) and artificial intelligence (AI) education across K–12 schools and career and technical centers (CTCs).

When: Monday November 17, 2025 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM & Tuesday November 18, 2025 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Where: PaTTAN - CENTRAL, 6340 Flank Dr #600, Harrisburg, PA 17112
Who: K-12 educators, 7-12 Counselors, Administrators, and CTC Educators

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CSinPA K-8 Foundational Pathway - 2026 Fall Cohort

The Pathway supports K-8 educators involved with CS instruction, whether as stand-alone classes or by integrating CS concepts and practices into other content-area instruction. Participants will explore ways of teaching CS while mastering core CS competencies. Participants are also eligible to receive a $350 stipend if they successfully complete and submit all program expectations and deliverables.

When: October 8, 2025- April 29, 2026; All live sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm:

10/8/2025: Kick-off Session
11/12/2025: Live Session
1/7/2026: Live Session
3/4/2026: Live Session
4/29/2026: Final Session

Where: 100% Virtual
Who: Open to all K–8 educators interested in integrating computer science into their curriculum. No CS experience needed.
Other:

The pathway includes 48 hours of professional learning conducted via asynchronous and synchronous online activities. All activities will be completed via an online, self-paced course; no travel is necessary.
Registration deadline is October 8, 2025

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What’s So Cool About Manufacturing Video Contest

The What’s So Cool About Manufacturing Video Contest supports Catalyst Connection’s effort to build a strong pipeline of talent and give young people a new perspective on the exciting career opportunities that exist in manufacturing. To participate in the contest, a team of 7 middle school students in 7th and/or 8th grade (and a teacher coach or teacher coach team) create a short 2:30 minute manufacturing video for their peers, parents, and community explaining what they think is so cool and rewarding about manufacturing!

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ONE PAGER

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award

The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) High School Award honors 9th - 12th grade students in the AiC Community for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, persistence, and future plans.

When: Applications are OPEN through October 28, 2025
Who: Students in grades 9 through 12 involved in technology are welcome to join the free AiC Community and apply.

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APPLY

CSTA Annual Conference

CSTA 2026 offers the best opportunity to connect with the ultimate community of K-12 computer science teachers. Engage with PD created by teachers, for teachers, while experiencing the vibrant culture, incredible cuisine, and historic charm of New Orleans.

When: July 2026; Registration and proposals will open Fall 2025.
Where: New Orleans, LA
Who: K-12 computer science teachers

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PDE SAS Institute 2025

The SAS Institute is a transformative experience designed to empower educational leaders with the tools, strategies, and connections to drive meaningful change.

Learn – Engage in timely, purpose-driven sessions tailored to today’s challenges.
Connect – Build human-centered leadership skills and strengthen professional relationships.
Activate – Participate in a statewide collaborative design session and walk away with a personalized action plan.

When: December 8-10, 2025; Registration opens on September 18, 2025
Where: Hershey Lodge & Convention Center, 325 University Dr, Hershey, PA 17033
Who: Educational leaders

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