Welcome to Launch_K5 CS, where education takes flight into a realm of innovation and possibilities!
Launch_K5 CS is a dynamic 3-day workshop meticulously designed for K-5 educators, crafted to align seamlessly with the new K-5 Technology Applications TEKS implementing in the 2024-2025 school year.
Scholarships Available!
Thanks to generous support from WeTeach_CS at UT Austin, the first 30 educators to complete the Launch_K5 CS training requirements through Region 13 will receive...
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No-cost registration for the 3-day training (up to $300 value)
- Day 1 and Day 2 are in-person
- Day 3 is a 6-hour online asynchronous course
- Physical computing kits to begin their launch into CS! (up to $276 value)
Continue reading for detailed information about Eligibility, Training Requirements, Cohorts and Physical Computing Kits.
Eligibility & Audience
To be eligible for the WeTeach_CS registration scholarship and physical computing kits, you must work at a Texas school that serves K-5 students and you must complete the Training Requirements below.
This opportunity is best suited for K-5 educators who will be embedding the new Technology Applications TEKS into their regular instruction. Educators teaching the Technology Applications TEKS as a stand-alone course or rotation will also benefit.
Training Requirements
Completion of these training requirements ensure your eligibility for a WeTeach_CS registration scholarship and classroom computing kit. Scholarships and kits are guaranteed for Cohort 1 registrants who complete the requirements. Cohort 2 will be offered any scholarships/kits that remain after Cohort 1 ends. See below for more information about Cohorts.
- Day 1: Attend in-person training at ESC Region 13 (Monday, June 24, 2024 for Cohort 1)
- Day 2: Attend in-person training at ESC Region 13 (Tuesday, June 25, 2024 for Cohort 1)
- Day 3: Complete a 6-hour online course within 2 weeks of the in-person training (Wednesday, June 26 is offered as an optional "open lab" for Cohort 1 registrants who want support completing the online course)
Cohorts
This opportunity is being offered in a series of cohorts.
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Cohort 1 (June 24 & 25; this listing)
- Participants registered for Cohort 1 are guaranteed a registration scholarship & classroom computing kit as long as they complete the training requirements
- Day 3 (June 26) is offered as an optional "open lab" for those who want support completing the online course
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Cohort 2 (July 16, 17 & 18; click to view)
- Participants registered for Cohort 2 will be offered any registration scholarships & classroom computing kits that remain from Cohort 1, in the order of E-Campus registration, as long as they complete the training requirements
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Day 3 (July 18) is offered as an optional "open lab" for those who want support completing the online course - Those teaching Grades 3-5 attend "Day 2" on Wednesday, July 17. Those teaching Grade K-2 attend "Day 2" on Thursday, July 18.
- Optional: You may attend both grade band sessions (3-5 on July 17 and K-2 on July 18) if you like, but each person is only eligible to receive a single physical computing kit, if materials remain from Cohort 1.
- Cohort 3 will be scheduled in mid-September if scholarships and/or kits remain.
More Details
Dive into an immersive experience that integrates computational thinking, computer science, cybersecurity, and AI into core curricula, offering educators a unique opportunity to enhance their teaching approaches.
Discover a wealth of K-5 lessons, both unplugged and plugged, ready to be seamlessly integrated into your classrooms. Embrace the future of education as you explore block-based coding and physical computing – essential skills for fostering a generation of learners prepared to thrive in the modern world.
Key Highlights:
- Interactive Workshop: Immerse yourself in a transformative 3-day workshop that equips educators with the skills to seamlessly integrate computer science into their teaching practices.
- TEKS Alignment: Gain insights into aligning your teaching strategies with the latest Tech Apps TEKS, ensuring your curriculum is up-to-date and in line with educational standards.
- Inclusive Curriculum: Explore a comprehensive set of K-5 lessons, including both unplugged and plugged activities, that you can immediately implement in your classroom.
- Coding and Physical Computing: Embrace the future of education by learning about block-based coding and physical computing, essential skills for preparing our students for the digital age.
Physical Computing Kits
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K-2 teachers in Cohort 1 who complete the Training Requirements will receive a set of the Vex 123 robots valued at $276, which includes:
- 2 x 123 Robots in one of three colors
- 2 x VEX Coders
- 2 x 50-pack of Coder Cards in English
- 1 x 123 Field
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3-5 teachers in Cohort 1 who complete the Training Requirements will receive a set of micro:bits valued at $200, which includes:
- 10 x BBC micro:bit V2 boards – available in 4 colors red, yellow, green & blue (please note you cannot select the color of the micro:bit you will receive)
- 10 x micro USB cable
- 10 x battery packs (for batteries)
- 10 x packs of 2x AAA batteries
- 10 x quick start user guides, safety leaflets, cardboard battery pack holders and stickers