Led by Monique M. Rice, Sr. Content Director for Computer Science and Mathematics, AdvanceKentucky (mrice@kstc.com) with team member Dr. Sheri McGuffin, STEM Coordinator, AdvanceKentucky (smcguffin@kstc.com).

Mission

We believe that computer science should be offered in every school in Kentucky, grades K-12.  We develop partnerships to create and manage professional development solutions for teachers at every level.

Vision

To be recognized as the leading provider of quality computer science professional development for Kentucky teachers.

What We Do

  • manage the KSTC Code.org Regional Partnership
  • support AdvanceKentucky AP Computer Science Teachers

 

Computer Science Initiatives (CSI)

Think CSTeach CSDo CS

 

 

Think CS

The SCRIPT: Strategic CSforALL Planning Tool for School Districts

The SCRIPT — the Strategic CSforALL Resource & Implementation Planning Tool — is a framework to guide teams of district administrators, school leaders, and educators through a series of collaborative visioning, self-assessment and goal-setting exercises to create or expand upon a computer science education implementation plan for their students.

School districts and other local education organizations are the unit of change toward creating rigorous, inclusive and sustainable K-12 computer science education. The SCRIPT supports systems-level change by addressing five key areas: (1) Leadership, (2) Teacher Capacity and Development, (3) Curriculum and Materials Selection and Refinement, (4) Partners, and (5) Community.

For more information about hosting a SCRIPT workshop in your district, contact Monique M. Rice at mrice@kstc.com or Dr. Sheri McGuffin at smcguffin@kstc.com.

Teach CS

Find the right professional development for your teachers to create CS pathways that align with your specific school goals and provide students with the foundation to take advantage of opportunities within your community.

Code.org Regional Partner | iCodeKY | AP® CS A Expansion | Digital Literacy

Code.org Regional Partner Program

As the Kentucky Code.org Regional Partner, AdvanceKentucky provides professional development for teachers of grades K-12.

Computer Science Fundamentals

Designed to be fun and engaging, Code.org’s progression of Computer Science Fundamentals courses blend online and "unplugged" non-computer activities to teach students computational thinking, problem solving, programming concepts and digital citizenship.

  • Audience: Elementary students, ages 4-11
  • Curriculum length: 6 courses, 10-25 hours each, optimized for grades K-5
  • Prior Knowledge: None! Just bring your curiosity
  • Optional professional learning: 1-day workshop, in-person or online.  Two types of workshops: introductory and deep dive.
  • Cost to use curriculum: None
  • Languages: English, Spanish, +24 more

For more information and/or to host a workshop, please contact Monique M. Rice (mrice@kstc.com) or Dr. Sheri McGuffin (smcguffin@kstc.com) for more information.

Computer Science Discoveries

Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory course that empowers students to engage with computer science as a medium for creativity, communication, problem solving, and fun!

  • Audience: Middle and high school students, grades 6 - 10
  • Curriculum length: 50-150 hours, can be taught as a quarter, semester or full-year course
  • Prior knowledge: None! Just bring your curiosity.
  • Optional professional learning: Our year-long program includes a 1-week summer workshop, 24 hours' worth of follow up workshops during the academic year, and online support through the Code.org teacher forum.
  • Cost to use curriculum: None
  • Languages: English only

For more information, please contact Monique M. Rice (mrice@kstc.com) or Dr. Sheri McGuffin (smcguffin@kstc.com) for more information.

(AP®) Computer Science Principles

Computer Science Principles covers many topics including the Internet, Big Data and Privacy, and Programming and Algorithms. The curriculum is flexible to be taught as an AP or non-AP course.

  • Audience: High school students, grades 9 - 12
  • Curriculum length: 100-180 hours, should be taught as a full-year course. Contains 10 units, including a Create Performance Task prep unit.
  • Prior knowledge: None! Just bring your curiosity.
  • Optional professional learning: Our year-long program includes a 1-week summer workshop, 24 hours' worth of follow up workshops during the academic year, and online support through the Code.org teacher forum.
  • Cost to use curriculum: None
  • Languages: English only

For more information, please contact Monique M. Rice (mrice@kstc.com) or Dr. Sheri McGuffin (smcguffin@kstc.com) for more information.

Applications for the 2021-22 AdvanceKentucky Professional Learning Program for CS Principles and CS Discoveries open December 1, 2020!  For more information and to apply visit code.org/apply.

iCodeKY Program

In summer 2020, AdvanceKentucky started working with Apple Education to provide teachers working with Apple devices professional development in their Everyone Can Code and their Develop in Swift curriculum.

Everyone Can Code

The Everyone Can Code curriculum will guide you through Swift Playgrounds, an app that teaches coding for kids through a world of interactive puzzles and playful characters.  It's great for students ages eight and up (primarily grades 4-8), and will help you introduce coding in the same language used by professional app developers.

The Everyone Can Code guides have in-class activities to help students understand the concepts behind the code and on-device exercises where they can practice coding and problem-solving.  The student guides allow learners to work at their own pace, where the teacher guides help you support all your students from extra help to extra credit.

Device needed: iPad.

Develop in Swift

You don't need prior experience to dive right into designing and developing apps.  The Develop in Swift curriculum makes it easy to teach ages 14 and up (grades 9-12) to code just like the pros - whether it's for a semester or for certification.

The Develop in Swift guides are flexible enough to help you support students brand new to coding and those with advanced skills.  The lessons provide practical experience in developing apps with Swift in Xcode, the integrated development environment professional developers use to build real apps.

Device needed: MacBook or iMac.

Applications will open soon for the 2021-22 school year.  For more information, please contact Monique M. Rice (mrice@kstc.com) or Dr. Sheri McGuffin (smcguffin@kstc.com) for more information.

AP® Computer Science A Expansion Program

If you are a Kentucky high school teacher who wants to gain computer computer programming and build your school's high school computer science curriculum, this program will help to support you.  A participant does not need to have previous computer science teaching experience but some programming or coding experience is recommended.

Participants in this program will receive

  • full access to an introductory college-level Java programming course
  • full access and self-paced professional development to an AP® Computer Science A curriculum for your students
  • mentorship from an experienced AP® CS A teacher
  • mock exam support

Applications will open soon for the 2021-22 school year.  For more information, please contact Monique M. Rice (mrice@kstc.com) or Dr. Sheri McGuffin (smcguffin@kstc.com) for more information.

Digital Literacy with 3D Printing

If you are Kentucky high school teacher who wants to gain 3D printing skills and teach Dual Credit Digital Literacy at your local high school or ATC, this program will help to support you. A participant does not need to have previous 3D printing experience, just a willingness to learn and apply how 3D printing is changing today's educational and manufacturing environments.

Participants in this program will receive

  • Full access to a college level Digital Literacy course with a focus on 3-D printing
  • A 3-D printer to use in your classroom
  • Post-program approval to teach Dual-Credit Digital Literacy which fulfills multiple Kentucky CTE career pathways

Applications will open soon for the 2021-22 school year.  For more information, please contact Monique M. Rice (mrice@kstc.com) or Dr. Sheri McGuffin (smcguffin@kstc.com) for more information.

Do CS

Provide opportunities for your students, teachers, and community to create authentic CS projects. Provide students opportunities to participate in STLP and earn college credit and valuable industry certifications.

Opportunities Include

Latest News

AdvanceKentucky Supports the Hour of Code
hour of code logo

Computers are everywhere, changing every industry on the planet. But only 45% of all high schools teach computer science. The good news is, we’re on our way to change this! If you've heard about the Hour of Code before, you might know it made history.

Charter Computer Science Expansion Awards
check presentation photo

January 29, 2019 - Fayette County Public Schools was recognized by Charter Communications and AdvanceKentucky for their commitment to the expansion of computer science throughout the district at the Academies at Bryan Station in Lexington on January 15, 2019.  Ten (10) Computer Science t

Apply Now for 2019-20 Professional Learning Program
image of teacher at whiteboard

Applications for the 2019-20 school year are now open for the AdvanceKentucky Professional Learning Program, in cooperation with Code.org.

Computer Science Education Week is December 7-13, 2020

#CSEdWeek

Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. As part of the #CSforGood movement this year we’re proud to elevate

#CSforSocialJustice

CodeBytes

Planning for the Hour of Code with your classroom that's gone virtual?  Try a CodeByte!  Designed by Code.org to fit smoothly into a distance learning plan, CodeBytes are easy-to-digest, 20 minute interactive lessons that will stream during Computer Science Education Week.

How to Host an Hour of Code