Insights from the Field: 10 Takeaways from Our Graduating Leaders

As much as we know that teachers are key to equitable implementation of computer science in their classrooms, we also know that school leaders hold the locks. In an effort to address obstacles facing teachers to expand access to computer science education, CSforCA co-created a workshop designed by and for school leaders. The centerpiece of this equity-focused workshop is the CS Equity Implementation Guide to help troubleshoot common dilemmas. We encourage school leaders looking to drive computer science education in California to explore this resource, along with our top ten takeaways from the workshop:

Find a community of like-minded leaders to support you and learn together on your CS journey.
Use local and state data to examine patterns of who has access to CS in your region or school.
Develop an action plan with clear goals to keep you on track to expand access and equity.
Explore the history of equity and access in CS, like Jane Margolis’s book Stuck in the Shallow End or the graphic novel Power On!
Support your teachers by signing them up for Seasons of CS, a yearlong computer science professional development program.
Join your local chapter of Computer Science Teachers Association, a supportive environment for K-12 CS educators.
Partner with your local higher education institutions to take advantage of pre-service teacher education opportunities, including the CS supplementary authorization.
Integrate computer science with other disciplines leveraging the Math, Science, Computer Science Partnership Grant and the California Subject Matter Projects.
Sign up with the CSforCA coalition and advance efforts to broaden participation in computing.
Spark joy in learning CS!

School leaders play a pivotal role in the success of computer science education. While working as change agents within the CS education landscape, school leaders are able to assist in unlocking some of the gates that have been barriers within their systems. School leader Darren Alcala shared, “Systems of support are needed. Without them, there is a cog in the system that is missing. This can be accomplished when both teachers and school leaders can see the value of CS education.”

Computational Thinking for Parents and Families

Are you a parent interested in bringing basic computing skills to your kids? The UCLA Computer Science Equity Project’s own Roxana Hadad and Sharisa Chan, both computer science educators and moms with littles, share one of their favorite activities they like to do at home with their kids that you can do, too!

Parents, we know you want to continue the great learning your kids are doing in school while at home. Finding fun ways to teach digital skills can help kids develop their identities as computer scientists and STEM-seekers. As parents and educators ourselves, we want our little ones to learn these important skills, but we’re not crazy about them spending tons of time in front of their devices, so we look for engaging, accessible, and easy-to-do activities that don’t require a computer.

We’re excited to share free (or low-cost) unplugged computational thinking (CT) activities we’ve used to engage our kids. These different problem-solving strategies can spark interest in computing, and connect to their learning in other subjects such as math, science, and English. CT goes beyond coding—it is a powerful approach to thinking about problem-solving that helps people break complex challenges into manageable steps and come up with creative solutions.

CT and computer skills aren’t just for programmers; they involve valuable techniques and mindsets for anyone navigating our increasingly digital world—especially little ones! Following a recipe step-by-step or reading a map are examples of the kinds of skills that are also used when developing a computer program.

When children practice computational thinking, they develop skills that help them tackle everyday problems, work together with others, and think creatively. This is especially important for kids from diverse backgrounds, as it helps bridge gaps and ensures everyone has a fair chance to shine. As children continue to develop their CT skills, they can gain the confidence to take on all kinds of new challenges.

Read on for a fun computational thinking activity you and your little ones can do at home: How Does Your Garden Grow?:

How Does Your Garden Grow? Action Brief Download