Code.org CS Discoveries
Professional Learning Program

The University of Texas at Austin is offering in-person and virtual CS Discoveries local summer workshops in the 2024-2025. Summer 2024 workshop dates are TBD.

Code.org Computer Science Discoveries is appropriate for 6-10th grade students and can be taught as a semester or year long introductory course (3-5 hours per week of instruction for 9+ weeks). The course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS, and data. Students engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun. The course inspires students as they build their own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices.

Teachers who apply and are accepted to the program commit to:

• Attending the five-day, in-person or virtual summer workshop as part of a cohort for Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, or virtual. 
• Attending four one-day, virtual workshops (usually on Saturdays).
• Teaching the course during the 2024-25 school year.
• Supporting the recruitment and enrollment of a diverse group of students in the course, representative of the school’s overall student population.

Computer Science Discoveries and Principles workshops are offered at no cost to qualifying teachers accepted into the program. If you don’t meet the requirements to attend at no cost, the program is still only $1,500 per Texas teacher, which is a 50% discount off the national cost thanks to our generous supporters at Code.org. 

Funding Options

Texas Computer Science courses, including those aligned to CS Discoveries (Fundamentals of CS) and CS Principles (AP and non-AP), have moved to CTE and qualify for weighted funding. Teachers should check with their administrators to see if these funds are available to support their involvement in this Professional Learning Program. There are also scholarships available for those who qualify. 

Code.org curriculum, online student learning platform, and access to support from the teacher and Code.org community are available to all schools year round at no cost.

Eligible Applicants

Participants must complete the Code.org application process and be accepted to this cohort. Applications for the 24-25 school year will be available soon.

Available CS Discoveries Cohorts

Dallas/Fort Worth-Denison: June 24-28, 2024

Houston: June 17-21, 2024

Rio Grande Valley: July 8-12, 2024

Waco: July 15-19, 2024

Virtual: July 22-26, 2024

**Follow-up training dates for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 for these cohorts are TBD.

Details

• Registration fees cover training materials.
• Payments are due before the program starts.
• Refunds will not be issued for cancellations or those not in attendance.

Certificates of Participation

CPE credits are 35 for the 5-day summer workshop, 28 for the follow ups for a total of 63.

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