Southwest Iowa STEM

Regional Newsletter

Computer Science Education Week December 5th-9th

Computational thinking skills inspire problem solving, innovation and creating – skills that are essential for our future workforce. Computer science opens worlds of opportunity for young Iowans to improve how we work and live. Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) takes place December 5-11, 2022, and is an annual call to action to provide American youth with resources to learn more about computer science, explore the opportunities that exist and encourage participation in computer science education. 

A variety of resources, panel opportunities and activities are available for anyone interested in learning more about computer science at www.iowastem.org/csedweek. These resources can be utilized to set up unique experiences and events and are customizable for a variety of settings, including classrooms, libraries, businesses, at home, among others.

Throughout the week, schools and other education providers in Iowa and all around the world will offer activities and programs to engage students in computer science education. Scheduled activities for Computer Science Education Week include:

• December 5
• 9 a.m. – Panel for Secondary Students: “What it’s like to be a computer scientist” Click HERE to register
• 10 a.m. – Panel for Non-Traditional Learning Environments (Librarians, After-School Providers, Homeschool, 4-H): “How to include CS in your programming” Click HERE to register
• 4 p.m. – Panel for Classroom Educators: “How to grow CS in your building and/or district” Click HERE to register
• December 6
• 3:30 p.m. – Panel for School Counselors: “How to impact and support all learners with CS” Click HERE to register
• 4:30 p.m. – Panel for School Administrators: “NOT one more thing! How to build a CS culture, incorporate into core content, support implementing your K-12 CS plan” Click HERE to register
• December 7
• 11 a.m. – Panel for Business and Community Partners: “How to support CS efforts in your community, school districts and/or building” Click HERE to register
• December 8
• 6:30 p.m. – Virtual Family Coding Night Click HERE to register
• December 9
• 12:30 p.m. – Nutcracker Ballet + STEM at Stephens Auditorium, 1900 Center Drive, Ames, IA 50011

The following companies and organizations are collaborating to help build awareness and provide various resources, events and activities to integrate high-quality computer science education throughout Iowa’s educational systems. 

• Alliant Energy
• Bio::Neos
• Computer Science Teacher Association (CSTA) Iowa
• Google
• Iowa’s Area Education Agencies
• Iowa Business Council
• Iowa Department of Education
• Iowa Technology & Education Connection
• Iowa Workforce Development
• Kirkwood Community College
• Microsoft
• NewBoCo K-12 Education
• Technology Association of Iowa

Learn more about CSEdWeek activities by visiting www.iowastem.org/csedweek. Follow on social media using the hashtag #CS4IA to see Computer Science Education Week events happening throughout Iowa.

📆 Upcoming STEM Events 📆

December 1: Region 14 8th Grade Career Conference at SWCC

December 5-9: Computer Science Education Week

December 20: SW Regional Board Meeting

January 9: Scale Up Program Menu Announced

February 8: STEM Day at the Capital

February 22: Authentic Learning Network Student Expo

February 28: Scale Up applications closes

March 9: Earlham STEM Festival

March 28: Region 14 8th Grade Career Conference at SWCC

April 5: Graceland College STEM Festival