The Latest From Code Savvy
Our newsletters highlight a variety of people, organizations, and resources that are doing work to broaden participation and expand equitable and engaging computer science and STEM opportunities. We are honored to work in this space along with so many talented and passionate individuals and want to help bring attention to their work.
This week’s spotlight and project-inspiration theme is: 3D Printing Superstar!
This week’s focus is Jazmine ‘Jaz’ Darden, Dunwoody College
This week we are shining a spotlight on a local STEAM superstar! Jazmine is a 3D Printing Instructor at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, as well as the Director of the Young Inventors Challenge with People of Play. Read below to find out how Jaz is using 3D printing to both inspire students and make an impact!
This week’s focus is “Jazmine ‘Jaz’ Darden, Dunwoody College”
After graduating from Augsburg University, Jaz began her teaching career in Minneapolis Public Schools. She has always had a passion for STEAM, and led both GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science) and GISE (Guys in Science and Engineering) programs while with Minneapolis Schools. While looking for ways to branch out, she toured Dunwoody and loved what she saw. She began taking classes and eventually landed a role as an Instructor for 3D printing.
At Dunwoody, Jaz helps her students explore the ins and outs of 3D printing while using the design process to bring their ideas to life. Students learn and use Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to plan out their creations, then use the 3D printers to make it.
Jaz also works with younger students as well, both helping teachers to bring 3D printers into their classrooms and curriculums as well as leading workshops for students. One of her favorite projects with younger students is to design and print their own Bluetooth speakers!
While noticing challenges workers are facing during the pandemic, Jaz began using her 3D printing skills to help make working with a facemask a little more comfortable. The I AM Ear Hero is used to prevent irritation behind the ear from wearing face masks for long periods of time. Jaz used 3D Printing to initially create and donate I AM Ear Heros to front line and essential workers during Covid. Due to demand, she raised money to switch the manufacturing process to injection molding which would automate the process to create more Ear Heros. She has now donated more than 30,000 and continues to sell and donate them online. You can learn more at www.IAMEarHero.com
Outside of 3D printing, Jaz helps young inventors bring their ideas to life through as the director of the Young Inventors Challenge with People of Play. At the Young Inventors Challenge students get a chance to develop their design, invention, innovation and STEAM skills while creating a new toy or game. Students get to pitch their ideas to professionals in the toy and game industry to get judged and receive feedback.
Through all of her work Jaz hopes to help young people gain an interest in STEAM and help develop the skills needed to create and bring their ideas to life. Jaz truly lives her motto of “Aspire to Create. Create to Inspire.” Thank you Jaz for all of the amazing work you do!
This week as you are practicing your own STEAM skills, maybe you want to try designing with CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. TinkerCAD is a great entry level CAD tool that is freely available online. They even have challenges that can help you learn the controls and how to get started designing! Be sure to share anything you create!
share your CS to Go projects!
How to Share: We invite CS to Go with Code Savvy participants to consider sharing your projects publicly with the Code Savvy and greater #MNCodes community via video with Flipgrid. We can’t wait to see what you create! Please be sure to follow online safety guidelines and get adult permission before sharing. You can find our Privacy Policy here.
Catch Up on Past Weeks’ CS to Go and Bytes of Inspiration Videos
CS to Go and Bytes of Inspiration with Code Savvy are our response to the current health crisis — Code Savvy’s programs have come together to share weekly youth- and educator-centered videos that focus on creating new things with computer science. You can find all CS to Go and Bytes of Inspiration videos under Distance Learning on our website!
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Other Happenings
Code Savvy’s MNCodes Educator Training Program and Opportunities
MNCodes May Computer Science Workshops, May 15th
Code Savvy and CSTA MN are proud to partner to offer a morning of workshops centered around a variety of computer science education topics. This event will feature 6 different workshops to choose from to attend, or you can buy an all-access pass in order to have access to recordings from all the workshops.
CSTA MN Members qualify for a free ticket! Current and new CSTA MN members will receive information via e-mail on how to claim your free ticket.
Event details and registration can be found on EventBrite. Hope to see you there!
Scholarships Available for CSTA 2021 – Last week to apply!
Each summer the Computer Science Teacher’s Association hosts a large nation-wide conference. This year will be virtual, and CSTA is offering scholarships that subsidize 100% of the program cost to support teachers whose limited financial resources may prevent them from attending. Learn more about our scholarship opportunity and apply by April 30. Read more about scholarships here.
CS Integration Curriculum Showcase
As part of the MNCodes Cohort, educators are asked to create lessons that integrate computer science with another curricular content area such as literacy, math, science, or others, and align to both CSTA and MN Academic Standards. We will use this space to regularly showcase various curriculum resources that have been created by current or former MNCodes Cohort members.
Scratch Video Games
This project helps students to create their own video games using Scratch. Check out the lesson resources here. To see other projects that integrate CS into core content areas, you can browse our database on the MNCodes website.
Coffee + CS Ed Zoom Call
Looking for more ways to connect with other educators interested in CS Ed? Or do you have ideas to share, questions or want to try out a resource in the company of other K12 CS Educators? Check out Coffee + CSEd Chats – every Friday at 8am, CT. Anyone is welcome to join! Details and Zoom info can be found here.
Technovation[MN]
The Technovation[MN] teams submitted their apps on Monday, April 19. 33 MN teams completed their submissions. What a great accomplishment for the teams and the mentors. A hearty congratulations to all who participated.
WHAT”S NEXT
CoderDojos
Our winter/spring schedule is now available here. Our next virtual event is this Saturday, May 22nd! – Register Here. Hope to see many of you there. Sign up for email notices – CodeDojoTC and Rebecca CoderDojo.
IT Connect Connect Community announces “A Gal’s Guide to the Galaxy” – The Ultimate Guide for Women in STEM. Minnesota Aspirations in Computing – SPARCS program leader Katie Hendriksen has assembled an amazing cast of STEM characters who are presenting on a wide range of STEM topics. Get registered now….then invite some friends and schoolmates to join you. It’ll be a BLAST! Registration ends May 16.
Best Prep Summer Offers 2021 Minnesota Business Venture Camp
Minnesota Business Venture – MBV is a virtual four-day business and career development summer camp that brings together students in grades 9-12 to learn business, leadership, and financial literacy skills.
This is a great opportunity to network with students from across the country, hear from business owners, build skills needed for your resume and future job, learn information you’ll need for college applications, and help you learn about the career you’d like in the future.
Visit https://bestprep.org/minnesota-business-venture/ for more information.
<run>:\the\world Machine Learning Virtual Summer Camp
The School of Mathematics and the School of Statistics at the University of MN is offering a girls only summer camp where you will learn about the answers to questions like these and more!
- Use the Python programming language to analyze social networks and data that can be found around us on a daily basis.
- Apply machine learning algorithms to projects of your choice.
- Meet a new guest speaker every day! Hear how machine learning methods are used by local companies and how their work makes a difference in the world.
Visit https://cse.umn.edu/mcfam/theworld-machine-learning-virtual-summer-camp for more information and to apply. Registration deadline is May 30.
More Code Savvy
About Code Savvy
Code Savvy empowers youth and educators with the knowledge, skills, and support to create with technology while interrupting and counteracting gender, racial, and socioeconomic gaps in computing. We create opportunities for hands-on computer science learning that inspires learners to transform the future.
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