2024VSTE Annual Conference: Full Schedule

Note: In-person attendees will receive login access starting Monday, November 4, 2024, allowing each to create personalized schedules. Until then, you’re welcome to explore the available sessions without logging in.

9:45am EST

Anchor Your PBL in Computer Science (Let's Code with Scratch!)

Sunday December 8, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am EST

Kids love to code, but often educators are hesitant to work with students on a coding project because they lack background knowledge in block-based coding. Join CodeVA facilitators to learn the basics of block-based coding with Scratch. During this hands-on session, you will create a Scratch project that you will be able to replicate your students. Gain knowledge, skill and experience in coding with help of CodeVA facilitators. This session targeted to Grades 3-8.

Speakers

Fara Faust

TIffany Cobb

Sunday December 8, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am EST
2A

General Session

11:00am EST

Math + CS Integration

Sunday December 8, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Dive into a wave of innovation as we explore how Computer Science (CS) intersects with mathematics education. This session invites educators to explore practical integration strategies that seamlessly blend CS concepts into K-8 Math curricula. We will showcase a curated collection of lessons demonstrating how computer science enhances mathematical understanding through an integrated learning approach.

Speakers

Jon Stapleton

Amber Rauls-Drayer

Sunday December 8, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
2A

General Session

2:15pm EST

6-8 School CS Integration Toolkit: Updates for the 2024 CS SOLs

Sunday December 8, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST

With the evolving landscape of Computer Science (CS) education, middle school educators are pivotal in preparing students for future challenges. This session will focus on equipping middle school teachers with updated tools and strategies to effectively integrate the new Computer Science Standards of Learning (SOLs) into their curriculum. Participants will explore a comprehensive toolkit tailored for middle school CS integration, aligned with the 2024 SOLs. The toolkit will feature practical resources, lesson plans, and interactive activities designed to engage students in critical thinking, problem-solving, and computational skills development. Educators will learn how to implement these resources to create meaningful CS learning experiences that prepare students for success in the digital world.

Speakers

Michelle Pealo

Jessica Lawson

Sunday December 8, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST
2A

General Session

3:30pm EST

Writing CS Integrated Lesson Plans: Integrating Computer Science into Science

Sunday December 8, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm EST

In this interactive session, participants will delve into the exciting intersection of K-5 science and computer science, discovering innovative ways to seamlessly integrate these disciplines in their classrooms. As computer science integrators and educators, we understand the importance of nurturing young minds with foundational science concepts while fostering critical computational thinking skills from an early age.; Join the Shen Valley Computer Science Regional Partnership and CodeVA as we share the lessons learned through the ACSE Grant centered on creating CS-integrated lessons for K-8. This grant provided resources to create lessons and PBL units for CS integration that are to be included in the division pacing guides.

Speakers

Allison Kappler

Supervisor of Science & Computer Science, Bedford County Schools

Valerie Fawley

Sunday December 8, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm EST
2A

General Session

4:45pm EST

AI & Tech Justice: Hands-On Ethics & Machine Learning

Sunday December 8, 2024 4:45pm - 5:45pm EST

This session focuses on building a conceptual understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), with a strong emphasis on ethical considerations and algorithmic bias, rather than technical skills. Participants will get hands-on experience creating machine learning models using Teachable Machine (no prior knowledge required!), and explore how to integrate this tool into their current curricula. We will also discuss effective pedagogical approaches to encourage critical thinking in students as they deal with ethical challenges. This session is aimed at educators, instructional technology specialists, and curriculum developers who want to provide students with a solid foundational understanding of AI and ML. Attendees will also explore lesson plans and other instructional resources aligned to the 2024 CS SOLs, supporting them in implementing CS-aligned instruction about AI and machine learning in their classrooms.

Speakers

Amber Rauls-Drayer

Jon Stapleton

Sunday December 8, 2024 4:45pm - 5:45pm EST
2A

General Session

9:45am EST

Peer Coaching for CS Integration into Social Studies

Monday December 9, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am EST

Hear from a team using peer coaching to integrate computer science in rural middle school social studies classrooms. Examine strategies for blending storytelling and computer science using unplugged activities and a plugged programming tool called Twine. In this session, you will learn how to identify the focus areas for CS peer coaching and how to successfully implement peer coaching as a means of widening your school's CS integration impact. As computer science gains momentum worldwide, educators are tasked with learning and integrating this new content. In addition, they are often pushed into peer-coaching roles without adequate systems for helping peers understand computer science and weave it seamlessly into their content. This session tackles these major issues. While our experiences have been geared toward middle school teachers, CS peer coaching is a useful strategy for all grades. Learn from our successes and see how we have overcome barriers!

Speakers

Valerie Fawley

Kristen Franklin

Monday December 9, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am EST
2A

General Session

11:00am EST

Project-Based CS Learning with Micro:Bit

Monday December 9, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

The BBC Micro:Bit is a flexible, inexpensive microcontroller well-suited to classroom explorations of coding and computer science in grades 5-12. In this session, participants will explore instructional strategies for facilitating project-based, student-led learning with the Micro:Bit in computer science-focused as well as CS-integrated (i.e., cross-curricular) settings. Attendees will engage in hands-on activities with Micro:Bit and the MakeCode coding environment, explore instructional resources to support open-ended learning experiences with students, and analyze lesson plans that integrate the Micro:Bit into CS and cross-curricular CS integrated learning experiences.

Speakers

Jon Stapleton

Monday December 9, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
2A

General Session

1:00pm EST

Get Started with Programming in Twine

Monday December 9, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Discover the potential of Twine for crafting interactive narratives across subjects! Educators will explore how Twine, a powerful tool for computational storytelling, can be used to engage students in exploring complex concepts across various disciplines.

Speakers

Kristen Franklin

Valerie Fawley

Monday December 9, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
2A

General Session

2:15pm EST

Dive into the New CS Standards: All About the 2024 Computer Science SOLs

Monday December 9, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST

Join us for a comprehensive exploration of the recently updated computer science standards. This session will dive into the key changes and additions introduced in the new guidelines, providing valuable insights for educators at all levels. We'll compare and contrast the 2017 and 2024 versions, highlighting new concepts, topics, and areas of focus. Additionally, we'll discuss practical strategies for aligning your curriculum and instruction with the new standards, including lesson plana and resources specifically designed to support your teaching.

Speakers

Jon Stapleton

Monday December 9, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm EST
2A

General Session

3:30pm EST

Getting a Computer Science Endorsement

Monday December 9, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm EST

In this CodeVA-supported session, participants will learn about earning an add-on endorsement in computer science by challenging and passing the CS Praxis Exam. Participants will explore the concepts addressed on the exam, access resources to support preparation, and learn about the ways in which the Praxis exam aligns (or does not align, in some cases) to CS teaching across grade levels.

Speakers

Valerie Fawley

Jon Stapleton

Monday December 9, 2024 3:30pm - 4:30pm EST
2A

General Session

8:30am EST

Think like a Computer Scientist in Math Class.

Tuesday December 10, 2024 8:30am - 9:30am EST

In this session, participants will learn how computer science, specifically computational thinking skills, strengthen students' mathematical understanding and engagement. Experience how the integration of computational thinking can increase mathematical connections and problem solving to deepen student's understanding of the 2023 VDOE Math standards. Explore concrete strategies to build capacity in educators to integrate computer science into mathematics. Participants will be invited to reflect throughout as they make connections to their work and consider future steps.

Speakers

Christopher Scaptura

Joni Smith

Tuesday December 10, 2024 8:30am - 9:30am EST
2A

General Session

9:45am EST

K-5 CS Integration Toolkit: Updates for the 2024 CS SOLs

Tuesday December 10, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am EST

As the landscape of Computer Science (CS) education continues to evolve, it is crucial for educators to stay informed and prepared to integrate new standards into their curriculum effectively. This session will focus on updating K-5 educators with the latest tools and strategies to seamlessly integrate Computer Science Standards of Learning (SOLs) into their teaching practices. Participants will explore a comprehensive toolkit designed specifically for K-5 CS integration, tailored to align with the 2024 CS SOLs. The toolkit will include practical resources, lesson plans, and hands-on activities that cater to diverse learning styles and abilities. Educators will learn how to leverage these resources to engage students in meaningful CS learning experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and computational skills.

Speakers

Michelle Pealo

Megan Graybill

Tuesday December 10, 2024 9:45am - 10:45am EST
2A

General Session

11:00am EST

Writing CS Integrated Lesson Plans: A Practical Approach

Tuesday December 10, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Join the Shen Valley Computer Science Regional Partnership and CodeVA as we share the lessons learned through the ACSE Grant centered on creating CS-integrated lessons for K-8. This grant provided resources to create lessons and PBL units for CS integration that are to be included in the division pacing guides. This session aims to empower K-8 teachers to effectively integrate computer science (CS) concepts into their curriculum, regardless of subject area. By providing hands-on activities and practical strategies, we will equip educators with the tools to create engaging and dynamic learning experiences that foster student curiosity and innovation.

Speakers

Dr Deb Crawford

Supervisor of Mathematics & WL, Frederick County Public Schools

Valerie Fawley

Tuesday December 10, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
2A

General Session