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 spotlight and project-inspiration theme is: Juneteenth

This week’s focus is Juneteenth

June 19th is an important day in American history, and is gaining momentum to become officially recognized as a holiday. Almost all states recognize Juneteenth as a holiday either officially or unofficially, and many companies are providing time off to celebrate for employees. However congress has not yet recognized it as an official national holiday. This week, we want to shine a spotlight on Juneteenth!

During the Civil War, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring that all enslaved people are to be set free. This was signed on January 1, 1863. In reality however, those living in non-Union states largely ignored the proclamation, as there were no Union troops present to enforce it. It took two and a half years for Union troops to progress through the southern states to Texas. After the war ended in 1865, General Granger’s troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, freeing an estimated 250,000 remaining people who were enslaved. The next year, freed people organized the first “Jubilee Day” on June 19th, which has continued to be celebrated and is now known as Juneteenth.

Even though this day has been a long-running holiday for over 100 years, it has yet to be officially recognized as a national holiday by Congress. Companies such as Target, Best Buy, JPMorgan, the NFL, and many others recognize the holiday by either closing early, or giving employees time off. You can find out more about a campaign to gain national recognition here. And if you want to learn more about Juneteenth, check out some of these resources:

This week as you are practicing your own coding skills, can you make a fun project to celebrate Juneteenth? Whatever you choose to make, be sure to share it with your friends and family.

Catch Up on Past Weeks’ CS to Go and Bytes of Inspiration Videos

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

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.

Rube Goldberg Machines with Hummingbird Robotics

Here is a fun, hands-on project to explore force and motion through creating Rube Goldberg Machines. Students use Hummingbird robotics to create their own machines to demonstrate forces on an object. 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! Please complete this survey so we can see what times would work to meet a few times over the summer to help stay connected.

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 opened June 13. You can Register Here. Hope to see many of you there. Sign up for email notices – CodeDojoTC and Rebecca CoderDojo.

Congressional App Challenge

The Congressional App Challenge is back for another year of inspiring the next generation of American STEM talent! The Congressional App Challenge is a district-specific competition where Members of Congress invite students to create their own original apps with the chance to win nationwide recognition.

This program accommodates coding skills of all levels. Students compete with others in their district, so hundreds of students, including beginners, are honored as winners each year. Winning teams are then invited to the U.S. Capitol Building, where their apps are put on display for one year. Don’t let your students miss out on this great opportunity!

More Information here

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 →