The Latest From Code Savvy

The Code Savvy Board of Directors is excited to announce that we are looking for our next Executive Director to expand our work of creating opportunities for hands-on, equitable computer science learning experiences that inspire all learners to transform the future for good.

We are expanding our work by shifting from a mostly volunteer-led organization to one with a paid executive director and supporting staff. We want to further our goal of reaching even more youth by continuing to inspire and provide resources to teachers and youth across all of Minnesota.

If you, or someone you know, has nonprofit leadership experience, a passion for promoting equitable education and increasing access for underrepresented students in the computer science field – we want to hear from you!

Additionally, Code Savvy is looking for Part Time Computer Science Curriculum Developers to support our school partnerships through the development of project-based curriculum! Join us to engage and inspire students through creative computing!

Click the button below to learn about all opportunities currently available with Code Savvy!

APPLY NOW!

This week’s focus is PRIDE in STEM

June is PRIDE month! This month we want to dedicate time to celebrating those in the LGBTQ+ community, and honoring history and contributions. Read on to find some great resources to celebrate PRIDE in STEM!

There are many organizations dedicated to celebrating contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to STEM, as well as encouraging involvement in STEM fields. Pride in STEM (www.prideinstem.org) hosts many event and resources, including LGBTQ+ STEM day which typically takes place in the fall. Pride in STEM aims to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ members in STEM fields, as well as to highlight the struggles they can face. Other organizations including LGBTQ+ STEM or LGBT+ Physics also work to spread awareness and share stories of LGBTQ+ community members pursuing STEM work.

The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) includes a group called “CSTA Pride Group” which has shared many useful resources as well, including:

Anyone can be a STEM enthusiast, and it is important to continue to work to intentionally help everyone feel included and celebrated within STEM fields!

What can you create this month to help celebrate and spread awareness of the LGBTQ+ community in STEM? Whatever you choose to make, be sure to share it!

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!

MNCodes Happenings

Code Savvy’s MNCodes Educator Training Program and Opportunities

21-22 MNCodes Coding in the Classroom Leadership Cohort Applications now Open! – JUNE 9th LAST DAY TO APPLY!

Each school year, Code Savvy’s Educator Training Program hosts a year long cohort of educators who meet monthly to explore computer science education. The MNCodes Coding in the Classroom Cohort has been running for six years, and has partnered with teachers and districts across the state. Applications are currently open for the next year’s cohort, and are now due June 9th. You can find further details and registration information on the cohort website. You won’t want to miss this great opportunity to network with other educators and dive deep into computer science education!

Summer Online Courses

This summer Code Savvy is offering a number of online courses to help educators who are interested in Computer Science. Courses will take place online, and will be a mix of synchronous and asynchronous work. This summer the following courses will be offered:

Participants will be able to earn CEU’s for their time, and Early Bird pricing is We 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.

Coding a Digestive System

This fun unit helps students use coding to show what they know about the digestive system! Resources include ways to adapt for any age range K-12. 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 – Summer Break!

We have wrapped up our Coffee + CS Ed chats for the school year! It has been so great to connect and collaborate with so many educators dedicated to improving CS education opportunities for our students! We will be sending out a survey to see what times would work to meet a few times over the summer to help stay connected. Stay tuned for more info!

Summer Activities for Kids

Code Savvy Summer Camps at The Works Museum

Through a partnership with The Works® Museum, we are able to offer these half-day programming camps for kids ages 11-13. These camps will take place in person at The Works Museum.

Beginning Thunkable

Learn to make mobile apps with Thunkable using drag and drop code blocks! You will create a variety of apps using components like translator and image recognizer, and put together clicking games such as space invaders!

Thunkable apps can be loaded onto Android or iOS phones. We will be using a simulator, phones are NOT required for the camp.

When: M-Th, July 12-15, 9a.m. – 12p.m.

More information!

CoderDojos

This summer, we will have monthly sessions rather than bi-weekly. Our summer schedule is now available here. Our next virtual event is this Saturday, June 26! Registration opens June 13 when you can Register Here. Hope to see many of you there. Sign up for email notices – CodeDojoTC and Rebecca CoderDojo.

Bright Ideas Hack-a-Thon

Two-Day Event – Aug 12 (8:45am-3pm) Aug. 13 (9-noon) Bright Ideas Hack-A-Thon is an online event for women in Minnesota’s high schools and 2021 graduates. At the event, students will work in groups of 3 students and 2 industry mentors to identify a product or service that solves a social or business problem. You will take on a designated role to pitch the idea. Anyone can have the best idea and product in the world but if it can’t be successfully pitched; the idea will not take off! Join this exciting event, make new friends, and learn from others!

Register here

Please note the following:

* This is a two-day event taking place Thursday, August 12 & Friday, August 13, 2021

* You will receive a Zoom link one week prior to the event.

VR Summer Camps @REM5

REM5 opened two new summer camps in August.

VR: Entertainment and Beyond

Dive into the wide world of virtual reality with both feet in this one of a kind camp. Each day we’ll have a different theme that will expand your understanding of virtual reality and its impact on entertainment, education, sports, travel, product design, art, and more. No experience with VR is necessary because we’ll start with the basics, including how VR works and how to properly use the equipment. By the end of the week, you’ll be a VR expert.

Ages: 8-13 (suggested)

When: Aug 2-5, 9am-noon

Register here

VR Design and Creation

Virtual reality is creating new industries and disrupting businesses like fashion, art, industrial and commercial design, and manufacturing. In this camp, you’ll learn to use tools everyone from artists to engineers are using to streamline design in the real world at companies like Ford and 3M. By the end of camp, you’ll have 3D designs to show off in virtual reality, augmented reality, and even a 3D printed model! Join us and learn the VR skills and industries of tomorrow.

Ages: 8-13 (suggested)

When: Aug 9-11, 9am-noon

Register here

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.

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 →