Computer Science Collaboration Project
August 2011

The vision of the Computer Science Collaboration Project is to efficiently increase participation of underrepresented groups in computer science opportunities and activities by effectively building collaborations between K-12, community-based organizations, higher education and industry. 

 Project Updates 

Robotic project

The Computer Science Collaboration Project uses the most successful elements of the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) to connect K-12 outreach programs, professional organizations, and companies as well as alliances that are part of the Broadening Participation in Computing (BPC) community, specifically focusing on outreach to and collaboration with persons with disabilities, African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and women. We are working in partnership with the Computer Science Teachers Association, Computing Alliance for Hispanic-Serving InstitutionsAccessSTEM, and will be adding additional partners as we create our collaboration networks.  

  

CSCP Webcast Making Programs More Inclusive and Accessible for Youth with Disabilities
Wednesday, September 28, 2011

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Pacific
This webcast will provide an overview of various disabilities and strategies for enabling youth with disabilities to fully participate in your programs. Collaborations are key in making this happen easily and effectively. Exemplary programs and resources will be highlighted. This webcast is a collaboration between the Computer Science Collaboration Project and the National Girls Collaborative Project.
Register: http://www.cscproject.org/webinars/sep11/index.cfm

 

CSCP Archived Webcast Engaging Latino Youth in Computer Science: Current Research and Program Models

This Webcast brought together research and practice to highlight effective strategies for engaging Latino youth in Computer Science activities, featuring Jill Denner of Education, Training, Research (ETR) Associates, Irene Lee of Growing Up Thinking Scientifically (GUTS), and Enrico Pontelli of New Mexico State University.

Webcast archived at: http://www.cscproject.org/index.php?q=node/75

 

CSCP Archived Webcast Collaboration Projects Engaging Youth with Disabilities in Computer Science

This webcast provided an overview of the Computer Science Collaboration Project (CSCP) resources and activities planned for K-12 youth with disabilities and provided examples of existing model programs.

Webcast archived at: http://www.cscproject.org/index.php?q=node/75

 

Computer Science Events

National STEM Video Game Challenge

Fall 2011
Inspired by the Educate to Innovate campaign, President Obama's initiative to promote a renewed focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, the National STEM Video Game Challenge aims to motivate interest in STEM learning among America's youth by tapping into students' natural passions for playing and making video games. The 2011 Challenge will open up to entries in the Fall of 2011.

Details: http://www.stemchallenge.org/Default.aspx

  

2011 STEMtech Conference
Indianapolis, IN
October 2 - 5, 2011
Educators, industry leaders, and others will discuss increasing student access into and success in STEM majors and careers. Sessions will cover topics from recruiting and retaining students for STEM-related programs to using information technology to improve organizational and student learning.
Register: https://www.league.org/2011stemtech/SReg

 

2011 Frontiers in Education Conference
Rapid City, SD
October 12 - 15, 2011
The Frontiers in Education (FIE) Conference is an international conference about educational innovations and research in engineering and computing. It is an ideal forum for sharing ideas; learning about developments in computer science, engineering, and technology education; and interacting with colleagues in these fields. This year's theme, Monumental Innovations from Around the World, celebrates the diverse community of international scholars and rich history of educational research.
Registration: http://www.fie-conference.org/fie2011/ 

 

Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
Portland, OR
November 9 - 12, 2011
This conference is designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. This year's theme What If?, explores the idea that innovation in technology arises from questions.
Register: http://gracehopper.org/2011/participate/registration/ 

 

Computer Science Education: Innovation and Technology (CSEIT) 2011
Singapore
December 12 -13, 2011
As computing evolves so does Computer Science as a discipline. The CSEIT 2011 conference is designed to spark discussion among educators, researchers, consultants, training managers, policy makers, curriculum developers, and entrepreneurs in Computer Science Education. This conference offers an opportunity to meet and discuss ideas, findings, and next steps.
Registration: http://cseducation.org/Registration.html 

Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Corner

On July 15, 2011 the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions received testimony in Oregon from several students, teachers, superintendents, and parents on how best to educate children in an increasingly competitive global economy. Chris Stephenson, the Executive Director of CSTA and Joanna Goode, Assistant Professor, Department of Education Studies, College of Education, University of Oregon, submitted testimony in regards to Computer Science Education in Oregon and its place in Federal STEM Education Policy. Stephenson and Goode state that without federal intervention to push computer science into the core of the K-12 education landscape, it will continue to fade from our schools. This will adversely affect not only the field of computing, but also all of the fields and industries that depend on innovations stemming from computing technologies. If we are to remain competitive in the global, high-tech marketplace of the 21st Century, we must revitalize computer science education in K-12. To read the full testimony visit:

http://opas.ous.edu/Work2011-2013/OST/Merkey-Stephenson-testimony-20110715.pdf

 

CSCP Program Directory - Register Your Program Today!

The CSCP Program Directory lists organizations and programs that focus on motivating underrepresented youth to pursue careers in computer science. (If your program is in the NGCP Program Directory, it has automatically been included in the CSCP Program Directory.) 

 

The purpose of the CSCP Program Directory is to help organizations and individuals network, share resources, and collaborate on computer science related projects.  The Directory contains Program descriptions, resources available within each organization, Program and/or organization needs, and contact information.  Submitted entries undergo review and verification prior to publication.  Register your Program today: http://www.cscproject.org/index.php?q=pd/newprogram

 

Resources

Disability Resources 

A number of disability resources have been added to the Computer Science Collaboration Project including resources for Youth and Parents, Education and Program Coordinators, National Organizations, Scholarships, Internships, Research, and Statistics.

http://www.cscproject.org/index.php?q=node/79

 

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) 

The PAESMEM Program seeks to identify outstanding mentoring efforts that enhance the participation and retention of individuals (including persons with disabilities, women, and minorities) who might not otherwise have considered or had access to opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The awardees serve as leaders in the national effort to develop fully the nation's human resources in STEM. Each award is in the amount of $10,000 and will be accompanied by a commemorative Presidential certificate. The application package deadline is October 5, 2011. 

 

CompuGirls: A Social Justice Technology Program for Girls
CompuGirls is a culturally relevant technology program for girls, grades 8-12, from under-resourced school districts in the Greater Phoenix area. Supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, CompuGirls provides girls access to technology, the internet, and after-school classes where participants learn the latest technologies in digital media, games, and virtual worlds providing them opportunities to become a voice for social justice and change in the world. 

http://sst.clas.asu.edu/compugirls

 

Exploring Computer Science Curriculum

The Exploring Computer Science instructional materials are distributed by the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). The curriculum provides daily lesson plans and resources developed for high school classrooms as an instructional tool for introducing students to the "computational thinking" of computer science.

http://csta.acm.org/Curriculum/sub/ExploringCS.html

 

Scratch: Imagine - Program - Share

Scratch is a visual programming environment that allows users to create interactive, media-rich projects. Designed for ages 8-16, younger children can work on Scratch projects with some assistance. As young people create and share Scratch projects, they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.

http://scratch.mit.edu/ 

Spatial Visualization Resources 

Well-developed spatial reasoning skills lead to success in computer science, chemistry, mathematics, computer-aided design, as well as engineering and technology courses. Research shows there is a gender gap in cognitive skills related to spatial skills where men outscore women by a medium to large margin. Spatial visualization skills can be dramatically improved over a short period of time and ENGAGE, an Extension Services Project funded by the National Science Foundation, offers a number of resources that can be used as enhancements to existing curriculum. 

http://www.engageengineering.org/?page=26

 

DO-IT Scholars Program

DO-IT stands for disabilities, opportunities, internetworking, and technology. The goal of the DO-IT Scholars Program is to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. Its mission is to promote the use of computing and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment. 

http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Programs/scholars.html

 

Get Off Your Knees: The John Robinson Story
Born a congenital amputee, John Robinson's journey illustrates both the challenges experienced by people with disabilities, as well as the shared leadership that people with disabilities can utilize to meet those challenges. Circulation of his story through the Internet, television, and other media is helping build awareness of education, employment, and technology in the disability community. His website is a growing library of success stories that feature people with disabilities.

http://www.getoffyourknees.org/

 

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