Adding Computer Science to the High School Curriculum: An Invitation to South Dakota School Districts to Participate in NSF-Funded Initiative 2016-17

  • CURRICULUM: The yearlong course is called Exploring Computer Science. It is available to review online at www.exploringcs.org. This course qualifies for Career and Technical Education credit with the South Dakota Department of Education. It is especially good for 9th and 10th grade students, and it is also suitable for 11th and 12th graders.
  • BACKGROUND: With a grant from the National Science Foundation and in support of a national movement to expand computer science opportunities at the K-12 level, five South Dakota districts (Rapid City, Spearfish, Douglas, Belle Fourche, and Lead-Deadwood) have joined forces with Black Hills State University, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and Technology and Innovation in Education to introduce a highly innovative yearlong computer science class within the high school curriculum. Now in its third year, Expanding Pathways into Computer Science has generated compelling findings related to student outcomes, curriculum adoption and implementation, and student recruitment. School districts are invited to come aboard during the project’s final year of funding from NSF, including opportunities to observe the course in action during the 2016-17 academic year and a week-long teacher institute in July of 2017.
  • OPPORTUNITIES TO OBSERVE: Teachers currently implementing the curriculum would welcome visitors for classroom observations and conversations about the curriculum.
  • SUMMER INSTITUTE:
    • Dates: July 10 – 14, 2017
    • Location: Black Hills State University
    • Audience: Ideal for math and science teachers, technology teachers, and/or CTE teachers who are interested in preparing to teach the Exploring Computer Science course during the 2017-18 academic year.
    • Participant Support: $500 stipend per teacher; lodging & meals at BHSU
    • Graduate Credit: 2 graduate credits are available for $50/credit
    • Apply: School district administrators or individual teachers are encouraged to inquire and to apply as soon as possible.
    • Priority will be given to districts committed to adding the Exploring Computer Science course during the 2017-18 academic year.
    • Space is limited!
    • For application details and to discuss the curriculum adoption process, contact: