Project ROCS
Rural Opportunities in Computer Science (ROCS)

Project ROCS Trainer of Trainers (ToT)

The WeTeach_CS program, part of the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), at The University of Texas at Austin, is seeking partners to lead workshops aligned to the Microsoft Farm Beats curriculum as part of the Rural Opportunities in Computer Science (ROCS) initiative. This resource has been aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Agriculture, 6th grade Technology Applications, 7th grade Science, and 8th grade Science. Approximately 12 awards will be made for this project.

Timeline

Applications open: September 10, 2025
Application webinar: September 26, 2025 from 10-11:30am CT (Zoom Webinar Link)
Applications close: October 21, 2025
Applicants notified: November 4, 2025
Period of Performance: January 15, 2026 - February 28, 2027

Ideal Applicants*

Regional Education Service Center or Institution of Higher Education that serve a large population of rural educators
have extensive experience in delivering professional development to secondary educators

*The majority of teachers should belong to one of these TEA designations: Rural; Non-Metropolitan: Fast Growing; Non-Metropolitan: Stable; or Independent Town.

Project ROCS ToT Application

Deadline: October 21, 2025

Applicants will be notified of their status no later than November 4, 2025.

Join us for an application webinar on September 26, 2025 from 10-11:30am CT.
Webinar recording and slides will be posted following the event.

Apply Now

Project ROCS Public Resources

Access program guidelines and budget justification template.

Access Resources

Contact

Sheryl Roehl

sroehl@tacc.utexas.edu

Selected institutions will:

attend a Train the Trainer (ToT) in Austin, TX on January 21-22, 2026
recruit at least 15 rural secondary teachers
provide facilities for the workshop
prepare for and facilitate a two day in-person workshop between January 26 , 2026 - February 28, 2027
provide the post survey to attendees at the conclusion of the workshop

The Final Invoice and Report will be due within 60 days of the conclusion of your workshop. Invoices can be submitted at any time with supporting documentation to reimburse actual costs. Reporting will include:

Teacher demographics, classes taught, and certifications
Total number of teachers served
Workshop information
Lessons learned and best practices

Awarded institutions will receive:

Microsoft Farm Beats Classroom Pack (10 Farm Beats Kits)
a fee of $3,000 to be paid upon completion of all bulleted items:
- attend ToT,
- prepare, and
- facilitate a two day in-person workshop for at least 15 teachers between February 1 - December 31, 2026
facilitator ToT travel (actual expenses for transportation, lodging, and per diem within state rates) reimbursement of up to $1,000
funding for sustenance during the training ($20 per day per teacher)
funding to pay teacher participants:
- actual travel costs for those traveling 50+ miles each way reimbursed up to $200
- a stipend in the amount of $200
- substitute pay of up to $100 per day per teacher (if workshop during school time)
- additional funds to support up to 30 teachers' sustenance, substitute pay, and travel over the period of performance is allowable

Note: any funds not allocated for travel and substitute pay can be used to increase teacher stipends.

Upon completion of the workshop and post-survey, participating teachers will receive 5 Farm Beats Kits.

Project ROCS

Applications for the next cycle will open early 2026.

The ROCS project will recruit and support a cohort of up to 25 educators to grow their CS knowledge and skills via the Microsoft FarmBeats curriculum. This resource has been aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Agriculture, 6th grade Technology Applications, 7th grade Science, and 8th grade Science (TEKS alignment). This training will be held at TACC in Austin, TX on in Summer 2026. Lodging will be paid by UT Austin and the following costs will be reimbursed for accepted applicants: