The CSforMA Professional Learning Institutes feature intensive train-the-trainer courses in emerging technologies that track closely to our Digital Literacy and Computer Science standards and licensure requirements. While the cost to offer these workshops is $1750 per educator, thanks to significant contributions from our business partners, Code.org, and DESE, we are able to offer scholarships for educators in MA public schools. For educators in private schools, we can provide scholarships for those that serve a large number of underrepresented minorities or economically-disadvantaged populations.
NEW THIS YEAR: Many of the courses qualify for graduate credit! (additional cost of $75/credit)
Look for the 🎓 icon next to eligible courses.
Professional Learning Institutes
2024 Professional Learning Series
Session 1: June 25 – 27, 2024: Devens Common Center Devens, MA
Session 2: July 8 – 12, 2024: Sheraton Monarch Place, Springfield, MA
Session 3: July 29 – August 2, 2024: Verve Hotel, Natick, MA
Session 1: June 25 - 27, Devens
Intro to CS for Elementary Educators
June 25-27 - Devens, MA
Discover CS as a learner first! This workshop uses curricular examples from elementary core curricula to teach foundational concepts such as computational thinking, algorithms, and programming. If you are an elementary teacher who is curious about teaching computer science, this workshop is for you!
Intro to CS for Middle/High School Educators
June 25-27 - Devens, MA
Discover CS as a learner first! This workshop uses curricular examples from middle school and high school core curricula to teach foundational concepts such as computational thinking, algorithms, and programming. If you are a middle or high school teacher who is curious about teaching computer science, this workshop is for you!
Computational Thinking & Music
TUESDAY, June 25- Devens, MA
Discover the world of introductory programming and computational thinking through this workshop. Explore various coding tools to create musical compositions, tailored to your musical expertise. Engage in designing, coding, and debugging programs to bring your music to life. All content area teachers and skill levels are not only welcome but encouraged to participate! (Grades 4-12)
AP CSP and CSA Written Response Questions Workshop
TUESDAY, June 25 - Devens, MA
In this workshop, we will discuss teaching strategies for the new AP CSP Create Written Response Questions and the AP CSA Free Response Questions (FRQs) and collaboratively develop resources to help our students succeed.
Micro:Bits + Python
TUESDAY, June 25 - Devens, MA
Explore how computing connects to the physical world through micro:bits, small devices that can be programmed to sense and interact with the world the around them. Participants will program in Python, a text-based language that is easy to learn. No prior programming experience necessary! This workshop is appropriate for educators who teach grades 5 and up.
Building Research Competency K-12
WED & THUR, June 26-27 - Devens, MA
In this workshop, participants can focus on either K-6 or 5-12 DLCS Research competency licensure goals. Gain the knowledge required for DLCS K-6 Research competency or the 5-12 Research Competencies necessary for a DLCS practicum and/or Subarea 2 Digital Tools and Collaboration test. Participants will come to understand the overall K-12 research process and organization, information tools, and evaluation of resources resulting in the completion of a culminating project.
Tools for Educators: GitHub, Pickcode, Grader Than
WEDNESDAY, June 26 - Devens, MA
This one-day workshop is an introduction to three different platforms that are ideal for high school computer-science courses: GitHub, Grader Than, and Pickcode. The first part of the day will be an overview of each of the three tools. Then, in a deeper dive in the afternoon, each participant will choose one tool to investigate further.
AI for Teaching & Learning
WEDNESDAY, June 26, 2024 - Devens, MA
This one-day workshop educators is designed to help all types of educators understand how Artificial Intelligence works, how it impacts our lives on a regular basis, and how it can be used to enhance student learning and teacher effectiveness. Experiment with AI tools and work through examples of how AI can be used to improve teaching and learning. Participants will have time to reflect on the implications of AI in their own practice.
Session 2: July 8-12, Springfield
CS Discoveries 🎓🎓🎓
July 8-12 - Springfield, MA
This course prepares educators to deliver a course with a wide lens on computing. Students build websites, apps, games, and explore physical computing devices. CS Discoveries is a core CS course in MA that is appropriate for grades 6 – 10, and can be taught as a semester or year-long introductory course. The 9-day professional development (five summer and four academic year) prepares educators to teach CS topics such as programming, physical computing, HTML/CSS, and data. This course qualifies for 3 graduate credits (at an additional cost) upon completion of all PD sessions and assignments.
CS Resources for K-5 Educators
🎓🎓🎓
July 8-12 - Springfield, MA
Attention K-5 educators! Are you ready to enhance your classroom with computer science? We’ll explore fundamental CS lessons from code.org and Scratch as well as physical computing devices like Makey Makey, Micro:bits, and Hummingbird. Learn how to teach computer science as a standalone subject or integrate it into other subjects. Continue learning with an additional four days of PD during the year as well! Note: This course covers CS Fundamentals (code.org) and Springfield CSforAll’s physical computing unit. This course qualifies for 3 graduate credits (at an additional cost) upon completion of all PD sessions and assignments.
Deep Dive into Scratch 🎓
July 8-12 - Springfield, MA
Discover computational thinking with Scratch! Educators will design animations, stories, and games with this block-based programming platform and gain an understanding of how to incorporate it into their teaching. Explore differentiation opportunities such as personalized projects. Consider implementation options for bringing computational thinking with Scratch into the curriculum as a standalone course or distributed across the curriculum. This course qualifies for 1 graduate credit (at an additional cost) upon completion of the weeklong PD and assignments.
Teaching MS CS with Lego Education 🎓
July 8-12 - Springfield, MA
Learn effective techniques and build confidence in teaching CS through hands-on, project-based learning experiences. LEGO® Education supports educators in acquiring the competencies necessary to foster student success and engagement. Learn skills and strategies for teaching CS in grades 6-8, while unpacking how LEGO Education lessons teach CS concepts and skills. Discover techniques for developing students’ computational thinking skills and ability to understand data representation and manipulation. This course qualifies for 1 graduate credit (at an additional cost) upon completion of the weeklong PD and assignments.
Cybersecurity 🎓🎓🎓
July 8-12 - Springfield, MA
Are you looking to build a robust cybersecurity program to your school! Cyber.org offers a yearlong course as well as a cyber range for experimentation — at no cost! Cybersecurity lays a foundation of understanding cyber law and policy, Linux, networking technology basics, risk assessment, cryptography, and a variety of essential cybersecurity tools. This course qualifies for 3 graduate credits (at an additional cost) upon completion of all PD sessions and assignments.
Computational Thinking and Problem Solving 🎓🎓🎓
July 8-12 - Springfield, MA
Computational Thinking and Problem-Solving (CTPS) is a foundational computer science course approved as a swap for a Math or Science. CTPS introduces an array of CS and IT competencies through a problem-based approach for students to apply learning in more relevant ways through authentic industry problems. This course qualifies for 3 graduate credits (at an additional cost) upon completion of all PD sessions and assignments.
Intro to CS for Administrators (2-day)
July 10-11 - Springfield, MA
This workshop introduces administrators to the discipline of Computer Science, how to evaluate equitable curricula and teaching methods, and how to ensure that ALL students are able to take and be successful in the subject area. Returning administrators will dive more deeply into the content area and implementation strategies in breakout sessions.
Session 3: July 29 - August 2, Natick
Code.org CS Principles 🎓🎓🎓
July 29 - August 2 - Natick, MA
CSP introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. The AP Program designed AP Computer Science Principles with the goal of creating leaders in computer science fields and attracting and engaging those who are traditionally underrepresented with essential computing tools and multidisciplinary opportunities. This equity-based curriculum can be taught as an introductory class and as an AP course. This course qualifies for 3 graduate credits (at an additional cost) upon completion of all PD sessions and assignments.
CS Resources for K-5 Educators
🎓🎓🎓
July 29 - August 2 - Natick, MA
Attention K-5 educators! Are you ready to enhance your classroom with computer science? We’ll explore fundamental CS lessons from code.org and Scratch as well as physical computing devices like Makey Makey, Micro:bits, and Hummingbird. Learn how to teach computer science as a standalone subject or integrate it into other subjects. Continue learning with an additional four days of PD during the year as well! Note: This course covers CS Fundamentals (code.org) and Springfield CSforAll’s physical computing unit. This course qualifies for 3 graduate credits (at an additional cost) upon completion of all PD sessions and assignments.
Civics + Data 🎓
July 29 - August 2 - Natick, MA
Learn to incorporate data into Civics projects! Educators will explore how to develop data-rich civics projects by developing data questions and learning tools that will help students query, analyze and synthesize information. Educators will leave with a plan for infusing data skills into their course; or a full scope and sequence for a data driven civics class. No prior coding experience is necessary. A stipend of $200/day is available through EDC for educators who will be implementing the module in School Year 2024-2025. This course qualifies for 1 graduate credit (at an additional cost) upon completion of the weeklong PD and assignments.
Code.org AP CS-A 🎓🎓🎓
July 29 - August 2 - Natick, MA
Introduce students to software engineering and object-oriented design while they learn the Java programming language in this curriculum for AP® Computer Science A from Code.org (CSA). This curriculum covers the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures, the development and implementation of algorithms, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. This course qualifies for 3 graduate credits (at an additional cost) upon completion of all PD sessions and assignments.
Algebra II + Data 🎓🎓🎓
July 29 - 31 (3 DAYS) - Natick, MA
Algebra II + Data is a new approach that introduces a set of Data Science lessons in a regular Algebra II or Math 3 course. In this workshop, teachers will engage with lesson materials designed to ground core Algebra II concepts in real-world data analysis. No prior coding experience is necessary. This is a three-day course. A stipend of $200/day is available through EDC for educators who will be implementing the module in School Year 2024-2025. This course qualifies for 3 graduate credits (at an additional cost) upon completion of all PD sessions and assignments.
Exploring Computer Science 🎓🎓🎓
July 29 - August 2 - Natick, MA
Whether you are new to teaching computer science or experienced but new to teaching an introductory level, this course will prepare you to teach ECS to high school students. Rooted in equity, inquiry, and accessible CS concepts, ECS lets students explore the breadth of computer science as they build their own websites, apps, games and physical computing projects relevant to their lives. This course qualifies for 3 graduate credits (at an additional cost) upon completion of all PD sessions and assignments.
Intro to CS for Counselors (1-day)
July 30 - Natick, MA
This 1-day workshop is designed to help school counselors learn what it takes to support ALL students in discovering computer science. Counselors are on the front line of students’ awareness of the benefits of CS education. Come to this workshop to find out how you can make a difference!
Intro to CS for Administrators (2-day)
July 31 - August 1 - Natick, MA
This workshop introduces administrators to the discipline of Computer Science, how to evaluate equitable curricula and teaching methods, and how to ensure that ALL students are able to take and be successful in the subject area. Returning administrators will dive more deeply into the content area and implementation strategies in breakout sessions.
Bringing Computation to Life with Micro:bits 🎓
July 29 - August 2 - Natick, MA
In this hands-on workshop, educators will become both creators and designers with the micro:bit. They will learn how to code with MicroBlocks and MakeCode; bring projects to life with sensors, servo motors, and NeoPixels; and create fun, content-focused lessons that integrate digital creativity across the curriculum. This course qualifies for 1 graduate credit (at an additional cost) upon completion of the weeklong PD and assignments.