Code.org Workshops & Cohorts
Workshops & Cohorts for IL & MO Teachers
In collaboration with Code.org, the Learning Technology Center offers a series of computer science workshops and year-long cohort programs for Illinois and Missouri educators. Full scholarships are available to eligible attendees, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, select opportunities provide participants with the opportunity to earn college credit.
Our Workshops
Computer Science Fundamentals
Participants receive a hands-on intro to computer science, pedagogy, overviews of the Code.org online curriculum and teacher dashboard, as well as strategies for teaching “unplugged” classroom activities. At the end of the workshop, teachers will have:
- A plan of action to start teaching CS Fundamentals.
- An implementation plan for teaching two CS Fundamentals lessons
- Goals for how deep into the course they would like to try to get.
- Strategies for teaching CS Fundamentals lessons.
- A connection to the community of CS Fundamentals teachers.
- A printed curriculum guide with pedagogy, tips, and best practices.
- A certificate of attendance
Attendee: K-5 Computer Science Teacher, Media/Library Specialist, General Education classroom teacher
Workshop Length: 1 Day
Cost: Free or low-cost
Computer Science Discoveries
Participation in this year-long program includes teaching materials, workshop supplies, nine days of professional development, and meals during workshops. Professional learning will occur during a week in the summer and four follow-up days throughout the school year. Additional travel costs are not covered and are the responsibility of the school or district.
Attendee: New computer science teacher
Workshop Length: A year long program includes a one week summer workshop, 4 days of follow up workshops and online support.
Registration Process: Attendees must apply to be part of the CS Discoveries cohort. Application details are available on the links below.
Fee: $1200 per teacher.
Scholarships: Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be awarded based on information provided on the application. To attend the program at no cost, attendees must meet at least ONE of the following criteria:
- The participant’s school DOES NOT currently offer computer science courses or comparable learning opportunities (according to the current Computer Science Access Report)
- The participant’s school’s percentage of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (URG) meets the national target of ≥50% or regional target, whichever is lower.
- The participant’s school’s free-and-reduced lunch (FRL) program eligibility rate meets the national target of ≥50% or regional target, whichever is lower.
In addition, teachers applying for scholarships are not eligible if they have previously participated in the Code.org Professional Learning Program for which they are currently applying.
Computer Science Principles
Participation in this year-long program includes teaching materials, workshop supplies, nine days of professional development, and meals during workshops. Professional learning will occur during a week in the summer and four follow-up days throughout the school year. Additional travel costs are not covered and are the responsibility of the school or district.
Attendee: New computer science teacher
Workshop Length: A year long program includes a one week summer workshop, 4 days of follow up workshops and online support.
Registration Process: Attendees must apply to be part of the CS Principles cohort. Application details are available on the links below.
Fee: $1200 per teacher.
Scholarships: Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be awarded based on information provided on the application. To attend the program at no cost, attendees must meet at least ONE of the following criteria:
- The participant’s school DOES NOT currently offer computer science courses or comparable learning opportunities (according to the current Computer Science Access Report)
- The participant’s school’s percentage of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (URG) meets the national target of ≥50% or regional target, whichever is lower.
- The participant’s school’s free-and-reduced lunch (FRL) program eligibility rate meets the national target of ≥50% or regional target, whichever is lower.
In addition, teachers applying for scholarships are not eligible if they have previously participated in the Code.org Professional Learning Program for which they are currently applying.
Computer Science A
This program kicks off with a five-day summer cohort and continues with year-long implementation support on a quarterly basis. These 2-hour synchronous meetings each month will give you the opportunity to reconnect with the facilitators, ask questions, and receive just-in-time support as you strive to implement the new curriculum. Then, participants are invited back the following summer for a two-day workshop designed to help curriculum users assess their progress and make plans for even deeper levels of curricular integration.
Participation in this year-long program includes teaching materials, workshop supplies, and meals during in-person trainings. Additional travel costs are not covered and are the responsibility of the school or district.
Attendee: Current computer science teachers looking to prepare students for the AP Computer Science exam.
Workshop Length: A year-long program includes a one week summer workshop, 4 virtual follow-up meetings throughout the school year, and online support.
Registration Process: Attendees must apply to be part of the Computer Science A cohort. Application details are available on the links below.
Fee: $1200 per teacher.
Scholarships: Scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be awarded based on information provided on the application. To attend the program at no cost, attendees must meet at least ONE of the following criteria:
- The participant’s school DOES NOT currently offer computer science courses or comparable learning opportunities (according to the current Computer Science Access Report)
- The participant’s school’s percentage of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (URG) meets the national target of ≥50% or regional target, whichever is lower.
- The participant’s school’s free-and-reduced lunch (FRL) program eligibility rate meets the national target of ≥50% or regional target, whichever is lower.
In addition, teachers applying for scholarships are not eligible if they have previously participated in the Code.org Professional Learning Program for which they are currently applying.
Code.org’s Free Curriculum
Designed to be fun and engaging, Code.org’s progression of Computer Science Fundamentals blends online and “unplugged” non-computer activities to teach students computational thinking, problem solving, programming concepts and digital citizenship.
- Audience: Elementary students, ages 4-11
- Curriculum length: 6 courses, 10-25 hours each, optimized for grades K-5
- Prior Knowledge: None! Just bring your curiosity
- Cost to use curriculum: None
Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory course that empowers students to engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun!
- Audience: Middle and high school students, grades 6 – 10
- Curriculum length: 50-150 hours, can be taught as a semester or full-year course
- Prior knowledge: None! Just bring your curiosity.
- Cost to use curriculum: None
- Graduate Credit: Earn up to 1 Semester Hour
Computer Science Principles covers many topics including the Internet, Big Data and Privacy, and Programming and Algorithms. The curriculum is flexible to be taught as an AP or non-AP course.
- Audience: High school students, grades 9 – 12
- Curriculum length: 100-180 hours, should be taught as a full-year course. Contains 10 units, including a Create Performance Task prep unit.
- Prior knowledge: None! Just bring your curiosity.
- Cost to use curriculum: None
- Graduate Credit: Earn up to 1 Semester Hour
Computer Science A invites students to learn programming using Java and can be taken after completing an introductory course such as CS Principles or CS Discoveries.
- Audience: High school students, grades 9 – 12
- Curriculum length: Full-year course of at least 140 class hours, containing 9 units (including an AP Exam Prep unit)
- Prior knowledge: For students, Computer Science Principles, Computer Science Discoveries, and/or a similar introductory computer science course. For teachers, the ability to independently write and debug an error-free function (or procedure) with one or more parameters and that uses conditional logic, loops, and an array (or a list)
- Cost to use curriculum: None
Designed to be fun and engaging, Code.org’s progression of Computer Science Fundamentals blends online and “unplugged” non-computer activities to teach students computational thinking, problem solving, programming concepts and digital citizenship.
- Audience: Elementary students, ages 4-11
- Curriculum length: 6 courses, 10-25 hours each, optimized for grades K-5
- Prior Knowledge: None! Just bring your curiosity
- Cost to use curriculum: None
Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory course that empowers students to engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun!
- Audience: Middle and high school students, grades 6 – 10
- Curriculum length: 50-150 hours, can be taught as a semester or full-year course
- Prior knowledge: None! Just bring your curiosity.
- Cost to use curriculum: None
- Graduate Credit: Earn up to 1 Semester Hour
Computer Science Principles covers many topics including the Internet, Big Data and Privacy, and Programming and Algorithms. The curriculum is flexible to be taught as an AP or non-AP course.
- Audience: High school students, grades 9 – 12
- Curriculum length: 100-180 hours, should be taught as a full-year course. Contains 10 units, including a Create Performance Task prep unit.
- Prior knowledge: None! Just bring your curiosity.
- Cost to use curriculum: None
- Graduate Credit: Earn up to 1 Semester Hour
Computer Science A invites students to learn programming using Java and can be taken after completing an introductory course such as CS Principles or CS Discoveries.
- Audience: High school students, grades 9 – 12
- Curriculum length: Full-year course of at least 140 class hours, containing 9 units (including an AP Exam Prep unit)
- Prior knowledge: For students, Computer Science Principles, Computer Science Discoveries, and/or a similar introductory computer science course. For teachers, the ability to independently write and debug an error-free function (or procedure) with one or more parameters and that uses conditional logic, loops, and an array (or a list)
- Cost to use curriculum: None
Graduate Credit from National Louis
The LTC partners with National Louis University’s National College of Education and Code.org to provide CS Discoveries and CS Principles participants the opportunity to earn graduate credit for their work. To become eligible for this transferable credit, participants must:
- Attend all CS Principles/CS Discoveries workshop sessions and complete all required assignments to earn the appropriate certificate of completion from Code.org
- Complete NLU’s Prior Learning Credit by Credential application process as a Non-Degree Seeking student and cover the associated $100 fee
Participants that complete the above requirements will earn one (1) Semester Hour (SH) of graduate-level course credit. Participants can use their 1 SH of credit toward advancing their career prospects or earning NLU’s Masters of Education (Learning Sciences Education or Curriculum & Instruction Advanced Professional Specialization) degree.
Illinois & Missouri Code.org Regional Partner
As the Code.org Regional Partner for Illinois and Missouri, the Learning Technology Center (LTC) takes great pride in facilitating professional learning programs that significantly enhance the capabilities of both current and aspiring computer science educators. By offering scholarships, these invaluable programs become accessible at little-to-no cost, enabling educators and their districts across Illinois and Missouri to cultivate the expertise necessary for delivering a comprehensive and enriching computer science curriculum.
This collaboration underscores the LTC’s dedication to fostering educational excellence and equity, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to explore the vast potential of computer science.
