About the 2018 WeTeach_CS Summit
The WeTeach_CS Summit is a 3-day event which educates, empowers, and inspires K-12 CS teachers, advocates, administrators, professional development providers, university instructors, and policy-makers to advance the goal of CS for All in Texas and beyond. This year’s Summit will be held on the shores of the San Gabriel River at the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel and Conference Center in Georgetown, TX, just outside of Austin. Approximately 450 CS champions will be in attendance.
Online Schedule
The full session schedule for the WeTeach_CS Summit 2018 is now online. Mobile and calendar friendly, attendees can browse sessions, read descriptions, and pre-plan their Summit breakout session experience!
View the WeTeach_CS Summit 2018 Online Schedule
Monday, June 18
Opening Session @ 8:45 AM
The graduate student and the 3D printed violin
Sean Riley
Graduate Student, UT Butler School of Music
What do you do when you’re a graduate student and a piece you need to play requires an instrument you don’t own, can’t find, and couldn’t afford anyway? You design and build it yourself! That’s exactly what Sean Riley of the UT Butler School of Music did and he’s going to share his story and his music with WeTeach_CS Summit attendees. This general session is a wonderful opportunity to see not only the practical application of 3D printing, but also the intersection where creativity and technology meet. This is the intersection where many of today’s students will build their future careers.
Lunch / General Session @ 11:30AM
Innovative Technologies and their potential in Education
Mike Belcher
Director EdTech Innovation, HP Inc.
New Technologies are coming at us at an almost unthinkable rate and can be so confusing as to how we begin to plan for them in our educational systems. Mike Belcher, Director od EdTech Innovation at HP, Inc will share some of the most innovative technologies planned or releasing in the coming years and discuss the potential impacts of Xr (Virtual, Augmented and Blended Reality), Immersive computing, AI and 3D Printing on the private sector as well as k12 and Higher Education.
Student Playground @ 1:45PM
K-12 Students and Teachers from around Texas share projects they’ve worked on this year in an interactive setting.
General Session @ 3:45PM
WeTeach_CS Change Maker Awards and Mini-Grants are sponsored by Oracle Academy and Texas Instruments
WeTeach_CS Change Maker Awards
A WeTeach_CS Change Maker is a teacher or administrator who has made a difference through their support of CS education in your school, district, or community. They have worked to increase access to CS education, representation among CS students, and promote CS education beyond the classroom and school and into the community.
WeTeach_CS Mini-Grant Awards
Mini-Grants will support instructional resources and materials used for teaching and learning K-12 Computer Science. Eligible applicants are teachers in private, public or charter schools. Potential projects include those conducted during after-school activities, summer camps, or in-school programs. For complete details and eligibility, please see the Mini-Grant Application.
Tuesday, June 19
Keynote Session @ 8AM
No Fear CS: Challenging the Status Quo to Advance CSforAll
Kamau Bobb, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Constellations Center for Equity in Computing at Georgia Tech
Access to STEM education is access to power. Dr. Kamau Bobb, founding Senior Director of the Constellations Center for Equity in Computing at Georgia Tech University, will share his perspective on the role that K-16 educators, administrators, professional development providers and policy-makers can play to move beyond viewing STEM/CS education simply as a route to employment in the tech sector but as a tool for empowerment, particularly for students of color.
Lunch / General Session @ 11:30AM
Technology by Artists, Musicians and Dancers
Dylan Ryder,
Educational Technologist at The School at Columbia University
Computing and technology has long held a place with pioneering artists and performers, though most of us art world outsiders might be surprised to hear that. Discover some of the exciting work of prominent “creative technology” artists of the past and present, and discuss strategies for engaging your fellow teachers and students in computational New Media Art activities.
Exhibitor Fair / Device Petting Zoo @ 3PM – 5PM
The Exhibitor Fair and Device Petting Zoo allows teachers to meet with vendors and organizations in a relaxed reception environment, while also getting an up-close look at some of the latest devices coming to classrooms in the near future. Confirmed exhibitors include, Hacker High School, KISS Institute for Practical Robotics, Project Lead The Way, Wonder Workshop, Ward’s Science—and more! —View all 14 exhibitors
Exhibits will also be open from 8AM – 1PM on Wednesday, June 20.
Wednesday, June 20
Panel Session @ 8AM
#CodeLikeAGirl – Strategies to Recruit and Support Females in K-12 Computing
Joanna Goode, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Education Studies, College of Education, University of Oregon
Texas has seen an impressive increase in the number of Black, Latino, and low income students who are taking computer science in high school. Unfortunately, the percent of females in high school courses has actually decreased since 2011-12. Improving female representation will take a purposeful and strategic commitment from all levels of K-12 education. In this session, Dr. Joanna Goode moderates a panel of K-12 formal and informal educators who have found success in engaging more females in computing experiences in K-12. Learn from their experiences and bring your questions to take home proven strategies for impacting diversity in your CS program.
Lunch / Closing Session @ 12PM
DonorsChoose.org
James Walter Doyle
Senior Director of New School Activation, DonorsChoose.org
Walter Doyle will give attendees an overview on DonorsChoose.org, insight on current funding opportunities, and a chance to brainstorm innovative ideas. Learn how to break down larger projects into fundable grants, and how to keep your donors coming back with each new project.
