Program Manager, Computer Science and STEM
Sarah Phelps (she/her) is the LTC’s Program Manager for Computer Science and STEM. Sarah takes great joy in seeing students learn expansively through technology as well as working with the educators who strive to make those “eureka” moments happen every day.
While serving as an instructional coach and elementary computer teacher for over the past decade, Sarah has been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education for her ongoing commitment to CS and STEM education, including through both the Emerson Excellence in Education Award and the Those Who Excel Award of Merit. Sarah also holds a variety of degrees and certifications, most notably a BS in Elementary Education and Teaching from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration.
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.
For this session, we’ll be diving into the Illinois Computer Science standards to gain a better understanding of the concepts as well as find cross-curricular connections.
We’ll then explore resources- unplugged, online, and physical computing (including robots) that can not only introduce students to the basics of CS and computational thinking but also support your content area instruction!
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
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.
The upcoming eclipse will be an unforgettable experience. Transform it into a learning opportunity and spark a lasting STEM passion with these resource curated by the LTC team.
Looking for screen-free ways to get your students interested in computer science? Try out these FREE resources in your K-5 classroom!
Computer Science Education Week 2022 is here! Let’s celebrate with a few books you can use to get your K-8 students interested in coding and more without needing to pick up a computer.
