The Latest From Code Savvy
SpringForwardMN – May 1-11! Code Savvy is expanding our work of challenging existing gender, racial, & economic gaps in computing, and we want you to be a part of it!. 2020 showed us just how important computer and coding skills are, and why it is so vital to bring opportunities for hands-on computer science learning that inspires students and educators directly to those who might otherwise not have access. Please help us keep our programs free to participants! During this campaign our Board of Directors will be matching 100% of the first $5,000 donated. Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity to double your impact!
This week’s spotlight and project-inspiration theme is: Star Wars!
This week’s focus is Star Wars
May the 4th Be With You! Star Wars has been a centerpiece of sci-fi culture for more than one generation, and every May 4th we celebrate national Star Wars Day! Read on for some fun ways to celebrate!
Happy Star Wars Day! The science fiction masterpiece includes lots of cool tech, spaceships, and droids! There are many fun examples of STEM in action in the Star Wars universe, and what better time to highlight them than May 4th!
Have you ever wondered how the Star Wars droids get programmed? This can be a great connection to coding and robotics for students. R2D2, C-3PO, K-2SO, and BB8 are just a few of the main droid characters throughout the Star Wars universe. Each droid has a specific purpose from repairing ships to security to translation and assistance with jobs. A fun challenge for any programmer can be to design and program their own droid! Edison robots can be a great tool to let students build their own droids using Lego’s, and program them to do specific tasks. If you don’t have access to a robot, you can also use cardboard or even pencil and paper to think up what your own droid could look like!
Another fun connection to the Star Wars universe can be the tools and technologies. Cool things like high tech communicators, advanced prosthetic devices, and holograms can be seen in any Star Wars film, show, or game. Could you use something like a Makey Makey or micro:bit to design your own piece of technology? Here is a fun way to make your own robotic arm using a micro:bit, or you can try your own design. Using the Star Wars universe as inspiration, along with your own imagination and curiosity, you can build all sorts of cool prototypes for futuristic tech!
No matter how you choose to celebrate Star Wars day this year, be sure to share anything you create! We would love to see your Star Wars inspired projects!
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!
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.
Recycling Bots
A fun way to bring robotics into the classroom, and also learn more about the process of recycling is this fun Recycling Bots project. 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 excitement is mounting! Appapalooza is this Saturday. You don’t want to miss it.
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.
Visit our website to learn more →
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