Did You Know?

One week. One hour. That's all it takes. It's simple and easy to inspire the next generation of coders and computer scientists. Learn more below.

Consider inspiring future coders during the first week of December as the world celebrates Computer Science Education.

Learning to code in today's world is like learning to read. Coding has applications in industries from agriculture, to medicine, to entertainment and everything in between. Coding touches all students' lives and is embedded their future. This means they can all benefit from a spark of curiosity about coding and a basics understanding of computers.

Read more below about how you can participate within your classroom. No computer science experience needed! All you need are Chromebooks and an hour to open young minds to the power of code!

For Elementary Students:

Consider a YouTube read aloud with a coding theme. One popular book, Rox's Secret Code, explores a young inventor's journey to use code to build a room-cleaning robot the Chorebot.

More Picture Books about Coding

For Secondary Students:

Consider Code.org and their inspiring videos featuring celebrities and computer science rock stars who explain the nature of coding in our world today and why we should all be involved.

Code.org Inspirational Videos

For Elementary Students:

Here's a presentation from The Dr. Binocs Show, an animation explaining how computer programming language was developed and how it helps run the functions of computers today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wchru8alhaE

For Secondary Students:

Code.org has countless short, student-centered videos demonstrating the principles of computer functions. These include simplified explanations of hardware, software, circuits, encryption, the internet and more!

https://code.org/educate/resources/videos

Whether it's 15 minutes after recess every day for a week or a two 30 minute challenges in a middle or high school class, see if you can find an hour of time to let students explore computer science during the Week of December 6-12 regardless of the subject you teach - remember computer science is everywhere!

Here are a few FREE RESOURCES to use with your students (no experience required):

Hour of Code activities from Code.org

Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. The Hour of Code website has over 500 computer science activities for all ages (pre K thru high school). Developed by Code.org and its partners, these activities can be can be sorted by students indicating their age range, experience, language, and can even sort by topics such as science, math, and social studies to better connect coding to your content.

Scratch coding tutorials developed by MIT for students 8-16

Students can use Scratch to code their own interactive stories, animations, and games. In the process, they learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively — essential skills for everyone in today’s society. Educators are integrating Scratch across many different subject areas and age groups. Use the link above and have students choose "tutorials" for their own self-guided experience through Scratch.

We would love to see the amazing coding that took place in your classroom! Consider submitting images or testimonials of your experience with Computer Science Education Week. Use the submission form below or let students do the talking with FlipGrid submissions. Simply share the link and students will be able to record a video detailing their experience.

Teacher Google Form Submission

Student Video Submission Link

(New to FlipGrid? Watch this to learn more before sharing the link with students)

Subscribe to our channel to see more instructional videos and tutorials about tools to use in your classroom. Want something more? Email us and let us know what you would like to see added to the channel next.

MSD Instructional Support Channel

The Staff Professional Development Course offerings will now be available on the MSD website for your planning purposes on a monthly basis. Click on the link below. Watch for more information coming soon on additional ways to earn MSD Tech PD hours.

MSD PD Calendar