Computer Science 4 High Schools

It seems like everyone I talk to lately is going to CS4HS this summer. OK not everyone but a good number of high school computer science teachers are planning on traveling to Carnegie Mellon University for one or more workshops. For many of them the workshop they are looking forward to is called CS 4 HS - subtitles Explorations in Computer Science for AP CS Teachers. This workshop is about computer science and not computer programming. I think this is a pretty worthy undertaking. Students need some exposure to the interesting and exciting things in computer science that are more than just figuring out where the mising semi-colon belongs.

This three day workshop will teach teachers how to: (Note: I copied this list from the workshop web site:

Explore real-world examples of computation in action with the help of Google.

Learn how to get the interest of your students with food and teach them something about computer science while you're at it.

See how ideas from computer science have helped to revolutionize the biological sciences.

Bring a robot to class.

See new tools for teaching students the principles of program development and computational thinking.

Hear from experts in the field about how you can help broaden participation in computer science at your high school.

The web site talks about AP Computer Science but I talked to Tom Cortina, the director, this afternoon and he tells me that teachers who are teaching computer science but not AP CS will find a lot of value in the workshop. So don't think that because you are teaching a pre-AP course or that your school's curriculum doesn't include AP CS that you don't belong at this workshop. Based on who is involved and what I have heard so far I'd have to say this workshop looks like time well spent. And it isn't going to break the bank on in-service training money either!