TACC's EPIC Cyber Range pilot launched this week with 17 secondary schools throughout Texas. The cyber range is an environment where virtual machines are used to work on and learn about various tools, techniques, and systems in a secure network to simulate real-world challenges faced from hackers.This one-year pilot is now available thanks to a U.S. Department of Education grant called Lone Star STEM, which is a partnership between The University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Education Agency, and Jobs for the Future. The partnership is designed to help schools develop and support rigorous pathways in cybersecurity and computer science that will lead to industry certifications and post-secondary success. Read more about our launch here.
VIRTUAL CODE JAM
Our friends at Youth Code Jam have gone virtual! K-12 students from around the country can develop tech solutions to real-world problems in this 100% online event. They can attend live workshops, meet a mentor, learn new skills and more. Registration closes September 25th, and the full event runs from September 15th through October 4th.
Interested in learning more? Visit their new website devoted specifically to this event here.
TEA RELEASES TITLE V RURAL AND LOW-INCOME SCHOOL PROGRAM GRANT APPLICATION
On 9/15/20, TEA released the Rural and Low-Income School Program Grant. This program is designed to address the unique needs of rural school districts that frequently (1) lack the personnel and resources needed to compete effectively for federal competitive grants, and (2) receive formula allocations in amounts too small to be effective in meeting their intended purposes. The RFA can be found here.
This could be an ideal program for individual school districts to build educator and campus capacity in computer science in partnership with WeTeach_CS. If your district qualifies and you would like to discuss how WeTeach_CS can support you, please contact Amy Carrell, Director of Outreach at acarrell@tacc.utexas.edu.
FREE PYTHON AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS
Auto Auto had K-12 teachers from all around the world complete their Python and AI training this summer. They are now signing up teachers to participate in a winter cohort starting in January. This online series is for K-12 teachers and anyone interested in bringing Python Programming and Artificial Intelligence into their classrooms. In these virtual meetings you will get started with learning Python & AI and will get access to a 50-hour video-based training course.
WETEACH_CS CURRICULUM SPECIAL: 2 YEARS FOR THE PRICE OF 1!
With budget uncertainties looming in the 2021-2022 school year, WeTeach_CS is offering a CS I and AP CSA curricula special. Purchase either curriculum for the 2020-2021 school year and get the 2021-2022 subscription for free!
Interested in learning more? Click here to watch a recording of a recent webinar where we explain our curriculum options.
FIND A JOB: OPEN COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION POSITIONS
JUDSON ISD - Veterans Memorial High School in San Antonio has a vacancy in their computer science program. This position will teach Computer Science I, II, and III. Learn more and apply here.
NEW BRAUNFELS ISD - New Braunfels High School is hiring a Computer Science/Business position to teach AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Science II, and BIM II. New Braunfels High School is a 6A high school in a fast-growing community located between Austin and San Antonio. If you're interested in applying, please see the job posting here or email CTE Director, Rachel Behnke, at rbehnke@nbisd.org.
RESOURCES
We have curated a list of partner resources to help with online instruction. If you know of any other online resources to assist with virtual learning and would like to contribute to the newsletter, please email us.
Past editions of the EPIC + WeTeach_CS Newsletter are available at our archive.
Interested in learning more about available professional development, online courses, and curriculum options from WeTeach_CS and our partners? Visit UTakeIt.
