Computer Science is the study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their applications, and their impact on society. (Tucker et al., 2003)
It is the vision that all Iowa students will engage in the concepts and practices of computer science through an intentional progression of experiences in order to prepare them to become enterprising citizens that positively impact society. (Iowa Department of Education)
To help districts achieve this vision, Central Rivers AEA provides the following services:
- Check out the Computer Science Blog
- Physical Computing devices for district use
- Planning and consultation to help enhance and implement K-12 computer science plans
- Coaching and collaboration to help teachers implement and improve instruction
- Professional learning and resources
- Increase content knowledge for computer science teachers with or without existing content knowledge
- Understanding and implementing the computer science standards
- Pedagogical practices deemed best practice in computer science
Look what’s new!
Check here first to find new information, learning opportunities, and resources to meet your computer science education needs.
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| Computer Science Learning Labs | ||
| Osage Elementary and Secondary Learning Lab Register for the Elementary Lab Register for the Secondary Lab | Nov. 14th | Osage School District |
| Cedar Falls Elementary and Secondary Learning Lab Register for the Secondary Lab Register for the Elementary Lab | Dec. 5th | Cedar Falls School District |
| Osage Elementary and Secondary Learning Lab Register for the Elementary Lab Register for the Secondary Lab | March 5th | Osage School District |
| Student Events | ||
| Elementary Code-a-Thon (Scratch) Using scratch, create a game students can play to learn concepts being taught in your classroom. The topic and makeup of the game are totally up to you! Rules: 1. Players must learn or review classroom concepts through gameplay 2. The game must be engaging. I want to play it! 3. You must provide a description of your planning and design process. Including but not limited to: How did you come up with the idea? 4. If you worked with a group, who did what? 5. How did you determine what the gameplay would be? 6. What school topics does the game cover? 7. Did you run into any problems planning and/or designing the game? How did you fix those? 8. You must share a link to the game prior to judging on Dec. 7th. Register your students now! | Dec. 7th, 9:00-3:00 | Central Rivers AEA Cedar Falls Office |
| Secondary Code-a-Thon (Python) Using Python, create a game or learning material that students can use to learn concepts being taught in your classroom. The topic and format are completely up to you! Rules: 1. Users must learn or review classroom concepts through gameplay or the use of the “material” 2. Format must be engaging. I want to use it! 3. You must provide a description of your planning and design process. Including but not limited to: 4. How did you come up with the idea? 5. If you worked with a group, who did what? 6. How did you determine what the gameplay would be? 7. What school topics does the game cover? 8. Did you run into any problems planning and/or designing the game? How did you fix those? 9. You must share a link to the game/material prior to judging on Dec. 7th. Register your students now! | Dec. 8th, 9:00-3:00 | Central Rivers AEA Cedar Falls OfficeCentral Rivers AEA Cedar Falls Office |
| Maker Challenge | March 28th, 9:00-3:00 | Central Rivers AEA Cedar Falls Office |
| Spring Computer Science Teacher Meeting | ||
| Computer Science teachers will gather to strengthen their instructional practice, collaborating and learning about new resources and issues in computer science | April 10th 9:00-3:00 | Location TBD |
Central Rivers AEA has some great computer science opportunities in the works! More information will be out as soon as it is available, but mark your calendars now so you don’t miss out!
More about Computer Science
The Computer Science Standards page contains information about the computer science student standards as well as the CSTA Teacher Standards that are intended to help teachers know and learn the knowledge and skills needed to be a quality computer science educator. (Coming Soon!)
The Computer Science Resources page will provide links and information about teacher resources, curriculum options, supplemental resources, and extracurricular programs.
The Central Rivers AEA Physical Computing page provides a list of the items available for checkout from the Central Rivers AEA Media Center as well as information about how they can help meet student standards and coming soon lesson ideas to help get you started using these in your classroom.