Family Resources

Ideas for Families

With or without internet access at home, families can start learning CS together. Here are a few resources to get you started!

Please note that this is not a complete list of all resources; a Google search may help you to find more resources as well. The intention of this site is to get you started.

Without Internet Access, here are some great resources:

Activities

The Hello Ruby Series comes with several embedded ideas for younger children that would best be done with an adult to be sure vocabulary is being practiced
Build a computer from scratch: there is nothing quite like putting a computer together, piece by piece, to understand how it works. There are lots of online tutorials if you get stuck. Recommended for grades 7 and up.
The CS Unplugged Series has recommendations for elementary, middle and high school students. With these activities, all you need is paper, pencil, and an imagination to see how you are using these items to simulate how a computer really works.

Books

Hello Ruby - published in more than 20 languages, this book series is intended for young children to learn the fundamentals of CS
Lift the Flap: Computers & Coding - great for grades 2 and up; small flaps exist throughout the book to give kids a chance to interact with the book and learn about many different CS ideas while they do so!
Lauren Ipsum: A Story About CS and Other Improbable Things - great for grades 5 and up; Lauren is lost in a forest and while she is lost she discovers all kinds of interesting characters and ideas connected to more advanced CS topics.
Check out our book list for some more ideas.

TECH FAQS

With Internet access, here are some great resources:

For HS Students

Upcoming Opportunities:

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April

Apr 22 2024

CSTA GB April Virtual Meeting - Integrating Literacy in CS (CSTA Greater Boston (MA)) Subscribe to Alerts

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

"Every teacher is a teacher of Literacy" Join CSTA Greater Boston to explore how to integrate literacy instruction in CS across K12.
Register here.

Apr 24 2024

Equity Fireside Chat w/ Sandra Hartman: Diversity is more than Race: Neurodiversity in CS Subscribe to Alerts

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join PA Chapter member, CSTA Equity Fellow alumni and current CSTA Equity Council Member Sandra Hartman to discuss the often under-represented or not recognized neurodiverse students. Where do they fit in the CS Landscape and how can we as CS teachers offer opportunities to students that might not typically be included in the CS conversation.

Register here.

Apr 25 2024

Earth Day 2024, Using CS to Combat Climate Change Subscribe to Alerts

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

To commemorate Earth Day we will be discussing the impacts of climate change on our world and how people are using computer science to create solutions. Participants will leave with new interesting resources to share with their students regarding computer science and climate change.

Register here.

Apr 29 2024

Partner Event - VEX Robotics Educators Conference Subscribe to Alerts

9:30 AM - 11:59 PM

Dallas, TX, USA

The 2024 VEX Robotics Educators Conference (April 29 - May 1, 2024, in Dallas, TX) is a premier event for computer science and robotics educators. This conference occurs during the VEX Robotics World Championship and aims to bring educators from various backgrounds to share insights, strategies, and experiences teaching robotics and STEM & CS education. Attendees will be able to participate in hands-on workshops, listen to keynote speeches from leading experts in robotics education, and network with peers from around the globe.

More info/ register here.