The Ohio Educational Technology Conference (OETC) starts tomorrow. We have enjoyed meeting many STEM educators and leaders at this major event. Want to connect? Join us at the two sessions detailed below.
OETC’s theme for 2020 is “Focusing Our I’s.” For 22 years, the conference has detailed many different classroom technology integrations and new inventions. This year, OETC concentrates on how to help educators incorporate tech tools they already have.
Our sessions fit right into that theme. The Ohio STEM Learning Network, managed by Battelle, will present two sessions with all the details about the Code.org Professional Learning Program in Ohio (accepting applications now) and how to successfully bring Code.org tools to your students.
Sessions
Wednesday: What’s new with Code.org? (OETC session page)
Time and Location: 3:30 to 4:30 PM in Room A224
Presenters: Ohio teacher facilitators for Code.org – Connie Fasig, Amy Hill, Elizabeth Davis, Jenny Nickol, and Anne Trachsel
Topic: Join teachers from across Ohio working to bring Computer Science to all Ohio students. Connect with one another and Code.org facilitators to discuss implementation. Together, we will spend some time discussing successes, challenges, and big questions. While you are here, we will break out into smaller groups to learn about some of the new or upcoming changes to the curriculum, tools, and resources. We will also spend some time collaborating around common challenges you’ve encountered this year.
As the Ohio Code.org Regional Partner, Battelle partners with Code.org to expand access to computer science in schools across Ohio with an emphasis on increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. It is our joint vision that every student in every school can learn computer science, just like biology, chemistry or algebra.
Thursday: Code.org resources for Ohio teachers at the Ohio Ed Tech Playground (OETC session page)
Time and Location: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Exhibit Hall Booth #1307
Presenters: Kelly Gaier Evans, Senior STEM Relationship Manager at Battelle and Renee Coley, English/Language Arts Teacher at Hannah Ashton Middle School
Topic: Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory computer science course for 6 – 10th-grade students. Mapped to CTSA standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem-solving, programming, physical computing, user-centered design, and data, while inspiring students as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems. This interactive playground demo will focus on exploring different systems used to represent information in a computer.
There is still time to register for the 2020 OETC conference.
Middle school and high school educators can apply to join the 2020-2021 Ohio cohorts preparing to teacher Computer Science Discoveries or Computer Science Principles.
Elementary educators can join the Computer Science Fundamentals events listed on our Ohio STEM Learning Network events calendar.