CSforMA Professional Learning 2026

Discover CS as a learner first! This workshop uses 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! 

Facilitators: Shannon Famigletti and Liz Kerrigan

Discover CS as a learner first! This workshop uses 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!

Facilitators: Christine Carney and Jessica Jarboe

Brought to you by MA Dept. Elementary and Secondary Education, this workshop explores AI Literacy as an extension of Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) for grades 6–12.

Participants will examine how AI systems work, where their limitations exist, and what ethical, responsible use looks like in educational settings. Through a learn–apply–teach model, educators will engage in hands-on activities, analyze real-world examples, and explore classroom-ready strategies aligned to the Computing and Society and Digital Tools & Collaboration strands of the DLCS Standards.

Facilitator: Alva Laster (DESE)

CSforMA’s PK–6 Computer Science is built to help elementary educators confidently bring computer science into the classroom, either as a standalone experience or integrated into other subjects. Across the course, educators explore foundational lessons from Code.org and Scratch, plus hands-on physical computing with tools like Makey Makey, Micro:Bits, and Hummingbird to make core concepts (computational thinking, algorithms, and programming) tangible and teachable.

The current PK–6 Computer Science pathway is a 9-day learning arc: 5 summer days plus 4 in-person follow-up days over two weekends in late October and early December. This 9-day course is explicitly aligned to Massachusetts DLCS PreK–6 licensure via Competency Review, covering SMKs #6–#12. Educators may request a Letter of Attestation after completing all 9 sessions.

Facilitators: Kristin Bergeron and Melissa Zeitz

*Eligible for 3 graduate credits through Cambridge College.

Exploring Computer Science (ECS) introduces educators to a research-based, equity-focused computer science curriculum that builds confidence and competence for all learners. Backed by over a decade of research and grounded in accessible pedagogy and culturally responsive practice, this workshop helps teachers deepen their understanding of ECS’s big ideas, instructional routines, and assessment strategies so they can implement the course with clarity and impact. Participants leave with ready-to-use lessons, facilitation tips, and tools to support student thinking across grades 6–12.

Includes four academic-year workshops, held virtually on Saturdays. Dates TBD.

Facilitators: Kerri Murphy & Jessica Jarboe

*Eligible for 3 graduate credits through Cambridge College.

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. 

5 days in-person + 24 hrs virtual school year coaching

Facilitator: Chad McGowan

*Eligible for 3 graduate credits through Cambridge College.

Code.org’s new CSAIF: Computer Science and AI Foundations curriculum introduces students to the core principles and real-world applications of computer science. This course is designed for high school students with or without prior computer science experience. CSAIF course empowers learners with essential skills to provide a comprehensive understanding of our dynamic digital world! Read more at https://courseinfo.code.org/csaif/

Facilitators: Christine Carney and Kismet Fair

*Eligible for 3 graduate credits through Cambridge College.

This 4-day course brings together CSforMA’s former Deep Dive into Scratch and Deep Dive into Micro:Bit into a single, cohesive learning experience. Designed with middle school educators in mind but adaptable for grades 3–12, this workshop explores core computational thinking concepts through creative coding, physical computing, and real classroom-ready activities. Participants engage with ideas and practices aligned to established curricula such as Code.org’s CS Discoveries and the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s Experience CS, leaving with concrete strategies and projects they can confidently bring back to students.

Facilitators: Laura Peters and Diane Horvath

*Eligible for 2 graduate credits through Cambridge College.

This two-day, hands-on workshop is designed for educators who want to move beyond exploring text generative AI for prompt writing and task completion. 

Through hands-on challenges and tinkering, workshop participants will strengthen their foundational understanding of AI by truly examining, evaluating, and understanding AI output. Turn-key AI literacy activities and experiences will be provided that can be used in any school or classroom setting.

Facilitator: Greg Kulowiec

This one-day workshop leads administrators through considerations about using artificial intelligence in their schools.

School administrators face unique challenges that can often be addressed by the careful use of generative AI. Designed to address these unique obstacles, this workshop identifies and provides hands-on experiences to enhance efficiency, productivity, and manage digital work effectively with AI.

Facilitator: Greg Kulowiec

This workshop supports elementary educators in teaching digital literacy aligned with the Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Standards. Participants learn practical, age-appropriate strategies for digital citizenship, responsible technology use, information evaluation, and foundational computational thinking, with a focus on ready-to-use classroom applications across PreK–6.

This course provides 4 Subject Matter Knowledge requirements (SMK #’s 1 – 4) of the 12 required for DESE DLCS PreK–6 licensure via Competency Review.

Facilitators: Melissa Zeitz and Kristin Bergeron

*Eligible for 3 graduate credits through Cambridge College.

This course introduces text-based programming in Python to those who want to advance from a basic understanding of block-based programming. This course will be valuable for teachers who are preparing for the 5-12 DLCS MTEL test. Facilitator Chad McGowan has many years of experience teaching high school computer science as well as adult professional development. Join this course to learn the syntax and data structures used in modern programming, as well as how to work with pseudocode to reason about algorithms.

Facilitator: Chad McGowan

*Eligible for 2 graduate credits through Cambridge College.

ONLINE: Sat & Sun, May 2-3, 2026, 8:00am – 1:00PM

OR

ONLINE: Sat & Sun, June 20-21, 2026, 8:00AM – 1:00PM

Participants will come to understand the overall PK-12 research process and organization, information tools, and evaluation of resources resulting in the completion of a culminating project.  Attendees will gain the knowledge required to satisfy the DLCS PK-6 Research competency (SMK #5), or the 5-12 Research Competencies necessary for a DLCS practicum and/or Subarea 2 Digital Tools and Collaboration test. PK-6 teachers attending all 10 hours will receive a Letter of Attestation to use for PK-6 DLCS Licensure via Competency Review.

Facilitator: Georgina Trebbe

Eligible for 1 graduate credit through Cambridge College.