Rural Computer Science
Project ROCS: Rural Opportunities in Computer Science

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.

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.

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Awarded Institution Requirements

Selected institutions will:

• attend a Train the Trainer (ToT) in Austin, TX on January 20-21, 2027
  • NOTE: Existing ROCS awardees are not expected to attend the ToT if the person facilitating the training has already attended the ToT.
• recruit at least 15 (but no more than 30) rural secondary teachers that have not attended the FarmBeats/ROCS training previously
• provide facilities for the workshop
• prepare for and facilitate a two day in-person workshop between March 1, 2027 - December 11, 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

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Awarded Institution Benefits

Awarded institutions will receive:

• Microsoft Farm Beats Kit (with materials for 10)
• a fee of $3,000 to be paid upon completion of all bulleted items:
  • attend ToT (if you are a new project or a new facilitator for a previous project),
  • prepare, and 
  • facilitate a two day in-person workshop for at least 15 teachers between March 1, 2027 -December 11, 2027
  • submit all required reporting documents
• 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
  • additional funds to support up to 30 teachers' sustenance and travel over the period of performance is allowable (Indirect costs up to 15% of the total direct costs, or your local rate whichever is less)

Note: Any funds not expended for travel and sustenance must be returned to The University of Texas at Austin. If a project does not anticipate needing teacher travel/sustenance, it should not be budgeted.

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