Computer Science & STEM
Resources, professional learning, and support for fostering robust computer science and STEM programs and knowledgeable educators.
Coding the Future: CS & STEM in K-12
Computer science and STEM education are vital for K-12 students in our tech-driven world. These fields foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity while providing essential skills for future careers. They go beyond coding and math, offering a foundation in complex systems, data analysis, and logical reasoning – skills valuable across all disciplines.
Early exposure to CS and STEM helps bridge the digital divide, giving all students access to technological literacy regardless of background. This not only equips them to navigate our digital landscape but also opens doors to a wide range of high-demand career paths. By introducing these concepts early, we’re preparing students to shape the future they’ll inherit.
At the Learning Technology Center (LTC), we’re committed to supporting educators in bringing CS and STEM to their classrooms. We leverage our statewide network of CS educators to make integrating these subjects both empowering and standards-compliant for all educators and school districts. Our team provides resources, training, and practical support to help teachers feel confident in incorporating CS and STEM into their curriculum. Whether you’re looking to start a coding club, integrate computational thinking into existing lessons, or explore advanced topics in computer science, the LTC is here to guide you every step of the way.
AI4K12
The initiative is developing (1) national guidelines for AI education for K-12, (2) an online, curated resource Directory to facilitate AI instruction, and (3) a community of practitioners, researchers, resource and tool developers focused on the AI for K-12 audience. Check out the following information to learn about this initiative.
Haiku
Haiku is a role play- game that teachers students skills needed for cybersecurity. Our platform has pre-designed “missions” that teach things like Linux, Intro. to Cybersecurity and Intro. to Networking. Our platform tool, Forge, allows you to build drag and drop learning pathways. Our platform takes your pathway and creates and entire story, roles and mission around your objectives. We also provide mission development as a service to customers.
Esports Program Checklist
Empower Your New Esports Team at your School with Our Comprehensive Checklist! Unveil the potential of your budding esports squad using this all-inclusive checklist. From recruitment and practice schedules to team branding, our checklist ensures you cover all the bases for a successful and thrilling esports journey in your school.
IL CS Mastery Worksheet
This document is similar to the Alignment Worksheet, but can be used at the classroom level to align the standards to individual lessons or units of instruction. It includes a customizable 3-level scale to show a progression of standard mastery across the unit or course.
CS & STEM Networking Meeting
Calling all K-12 computer science and STEM educators! Join your peers from across the state each month for an informative, engagement-rich networking meeting centered on topics that matter most to you.
Bring 3D Printing into your Classrooms
Whether you’re brand new to 3D printing or you have one that’s not being used to its full potential, this workshop will give you the foundation you need. We’ll begin at square one of the 3D printing process and go from ideation to finished print, covering everything in between. You’ll then learn how 3D printers work, how to create and prepare models for printing, how to operate your printer and optimize its settings, and how to troubleshoot your printer when issues arise.
Coding with Ozobots: A Hands-On Workshop for Educators
In this hands-on workshop, educators will learn the basics of Ozobots, including how they work and how to program them. K-12 students can code Evo two ways: screen-free with Color Code markers and online with Ozobot Blockly visual programming or Python. You’ll explore how Ozobots can be used to teach coding concepts like sequencing, loops, and conditionals, and how to integrate them into your curriculum.
AA 4054: Designing a Comprehensive [CS] Program for School Leaders
Participants will know/be able to…
Examine key concept areas of computer science as a content area, using technical terminology when appropriate
Investigate the differences between computer science and computer literacy
Determine the relevance a computer science education has to long-term student success
Evaluate their resource availability and compare it to the version they have for their computer science program
Create their computer science implementation plan
The Makerspace Starter Kit
This workshop will provide you a structured protocol for planning, designing, and fully stocking your makerspace to best meet the needs of YOUR students at YOUR school. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we’ll share the questions you need to be asking and the research you’ll want to complete in order to tailor the space to your needs.
Bring 3D Printing into your Classrooms
Whether you’re brand new to 3D printing or you have one that’s not being used to its full potential, this workshop will give you the foundation you need. We’ll begin at square one of the 3D printing process and go from ideation to finished print, covering everything in between. You’ll then learn how 3D printers work, how to create and prepare models for printing, how to operate your printer and optimize its settings, and how to troubleshoot your printer when issues arise.
Coding with Ozobots: A Hands-On Workshop for Educators
Ozobot’s Evo robots are tiny programmable robots that are a fun and interactive way to introduce coding to students of all ages. In this hands-on workshop, educators will learn the basics of Ozobots, including how they work and how to program them.
Take Coding to the Sky with Drones!
Come discover what it takes to bring drones into the classroom as a part of this hands-on workshop. Participants will have the chance to ask questions, code their own drone, and learn about essential drone terminology, safety issues, legal concerns, operational requirements, and drone model options. Participants will also walk away with a Robolink Codrone of their own to make implementing their newfound drone knowledge even easier.
LTC Announces Inaugural Illinois State Fair Butter Cow 3D Printing Contest Winner
The Learning Technology Center is proud to announce the winner of its first 3D printing contest. Learn about the winning student and how you can grab the miniature butter cow he designed as a souvenir at the 2024 Illinois State Fair.
Code.org Regional Partnership
Through our Code.org partnership, Illinois educators can obtain high-quality CS professional development and curricular resources – often for little-to-no cost. You can also develop the expertise needed make CS learning accessible at any grade level using their ever-growing library of projects and teaching tools.
More than two million teachers have brought CS learning to their classroom through Code.org. Learn more about how Code.org can help you and your district grow CS teaching capacity starting today.