UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM)

It’s a pleasure today to provide professional development on the C-STEM Math/CS/Engineering Design with Robotics program (https://lnkd.in/gNRSik32) to over 50 staff members and Student Outreach Assistants from the UC Davis Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP)(https://eaop.ucdavis.edu/). EAOP is the University of California’s premier outreach program for K-12 students, supporting those who are the first in their families to attend college or come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Its mission is to help first-generation students gain college admission. C-STEM is a University of California-approved Educational Preparation Program for Undergraduate Admission to all UC campuses. The program is dedicated to transforming K-12 math education through coding and robotics, preparing all students for post-secondary education. We are excited about the collaboration between EAOP, UC Davis and UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM), which will further enhance EAOP’s efforts to better serve K-12 students in the program. Robert Penman, MBA, Rogelio Villagrana, Johana Ramírez-Zapien, Harold Stewart Carballo MEd (He,Him, El), Johanna Alatorre Gonzalez, Marrisa Smith

Thirty states currently require high schools to offer a computer science course, with five of those states requiring computer science for graduation. The bill, AB 2097, mandates that all public high schools in California offer at least one computer science course and establishes computer science as a graduation requirement by the 2030–31 school year. Looking to offer an engaging and exciting AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) curriculum for your high school students? Is enrollment in your existing AP CSP course decreasing? Check out our AP Computer Science Principles with Robotics (APCSPR, https://lnkd.in/gKBgyiyi). APCSPR is The College Board-endorsed course for teaching AP CSP and preparing students for the corresponding AP exam. Both the curriculum and professional development for APCSPR are free. Learn more about APCSPR and the excitement it brings from teachers currently using the curriculum at the 14th Annual C-STEM Conference organized by UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM) on October 4, 2024 at the UC Davis Conference Center (more info at https://lnkd.in/gj8S4Yum).

A second cohort of 33 teachers from the San Bernardino City Unified School District began their C-STEM Academy on Introduction to Teaching Computer Science today! Along with the first cohort, a total of 58 teachers are now on their way to integrate coding and robotics into their classes through the innovative C-STEM K-12 Math, Computer Science, and Engineering Design with Robotics Curriculum, as well as Afterschool and Summer Robotics Programs (https://lnkd.in/gUEnZkAc)! Below are comments from some of the participating teachers. “I'm very excited to start implementing coding in my class. I feel pretty confident in getting them started.” —- Melanie Payne, 3rd Grade Teacher “I learned a lot! I liked all the lessons geared towards math.” --- Jessica Acosta-Johnson, 4th Grade Teacher I learned how to navigate through the curriculum and be able to code. This will be very engaging for my students! I cannot wait to show them! It was wonderful!” --- Brittany Walker, 6th Grade Teacher Teachers, thank you for the opportunity to work with you. Your dedication to helping students accelerate their math achievement is truly an inspiration to all of us! Mauricio Arellano, Randy Clyde, Ed.D.

Please join the Plenary Panel Session “Transformative Learning in Action: Pathways to Success with C-STEM” at the 14th Annual C-STEM Conference organized by UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM) on October 4, 2024 at the UC Davis Conference Center (more info at https://lnkd.in/gj8S4Yum). The session will highlight the work of Hacienda La Puente Unified School District. The panelists will share their C-STEM journey and successes, as well as how the district school board, administrators, and teachers working together to transform STEAM education with coding and robotics through both academic and summer programs. The panelists include Christine Salazar, President of the HLPUSD Board; Nancy Loera, Vice President of the HLPUSD Board; Alfonso Jiménez, Ed.D., Superintendent; Dr. Rosa Perez-Isiah, Assistant Superintendent; Joanne Chan, Coordinator; and teachers Imelda Rodriguez and Kien To.  The session will be moderated by Mary Nicely, the Chief Deputy Superintendent of the California Department of Education.

Please join the workshop, “Getting Ready for the New California Math Framework,” at the 14th Annual C-STEM Pre-Conference organized by UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM) on October 3, 2024 at the UC Davis Conference Center (more info at https://lnkd.in/gj8S4Yum). The California State Board of Education approved a new Mathematics Framework (https://lnkd.in/g_hs3Em9) for K-8 education in July 2023 after a four-year process. The Framework provides strategies to challenge and support all students in deep and relevant math learning to ensure their success. Excellence and equity in math education will be achieved by organizing the curriculum around the investigation of big ideas in mathematics, grounded in rigorous existing state standards, with an emphasis on real-world applications and multidimensional teaching. In this workshop, Professor Harry Cheng from the University of California, Davis, will highlight the changes introduced by the new Framework and offer recommendations for district superintendents and leaders on how to best implement it. He will also discuss how to prepare teachers and staff for the upcoming transformations in math pedagogy and practice. Dr. Harry H. Cheng is a Professor in the UC Davis College of Engineering and Director of the UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM). For more than a decade, he has pioneered efforts to systematically integrate computing and robotics into formal math education from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. Dr. Cheng has received the UC Davis Chancellor's Achievement Award for Diversity and Community, the UC Davis Chancellor's Innovator of the Year award, and the Distinguished Scholarly Public Service Award from the UC Davis Academic Senate.

Please join the session “Best Practices: Integrating C-STEM K-12 Math with Robotics/CS Curriculum into Elementary School” at the 14th Annual C-STEM Conference organized by UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM)  on October 4, 2024 at the UC Davis Conference Center (more info at https://lnkd.in/gj8S4Yum). C-STEM Teachers will show how math, CS, and robotics are integrated at the middle and high school levels. C-STEM supports early learners in building confidence and understanding of abstract math concepts through applied hands-on robotics and programming activities. By incorporating coding and robotics into early education, students gain valuable exposure to modern technologies, develop logic-based problem-solving skills, and apply creativity throughout their learning. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn from experienced educators and take your school's STEM education to the next level.

Please join the session “Best Practices: Integrating C-STEM K-12 Math with Robotics/CS Curriculum into Elementary School” at the 14th Annual C-STEM Conference organized by UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM)  on October 4, 2024 at the UC Davis Conference Center (more info at https://lnkd.in/gj8S4Yum). The C-STEM Mathematics with Robotics curriculum has had proven success in increasing student engagement and learning at the elementary level. Hear how a panel of Elementary School teachers have incorporated C-STEM curriculum in their Elementary Math classes, and how it maps to the big ideas in the upcoming new state math framework. C-STEM supports early learners in building confidence and understanding of abstract math concepts through applied hands-on robotics and programming activities. By incorporating coding and robotics into early education, students gain valuable exposure to modern technologies, develop logic-based problem solving skills, and apply creativity throughout their learning. In addition, the curriculum provides opportunities for integration with English Language Arts subjects, and text-to-speech and language translation features provide support for ELL students.  Join this session to learn more about how the C-STEM Program can transform math education at the elementary level.

Please join the session “Leadership & PD: School and District-wide Integration of C-STEM Math/CS/Engineering Design with Robotics Curriculum” at the 14th Annual C-STEM Conference organized by UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM) on October 4, 2024 at the UC Davis Conference Center (more info at https://lnkd.in/gj8S4Yum). Join this session and learn how educational leaders implemented the C-STEM K-12 Math and CS Curriculum in their districts for accelerated and deeper learning of math and exploration of CS/Robotics. They will share administrative perspectives on getting started, including funding, recruitment of teachers, professional development, teacher support, and student progress and achievement in Math/CS/Robotics. In addition, best practices learned through experiences and success stories will be shared.

We are excited about the opportunity to partner with the Orange County School of Computer Sciences (OCSCS) in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District to transform STEM education through coding and robotics. OCSCS is the first school designated as a school of computer science in California. Below is a comment from a teacher attending the C-STEM on-site professional development at OCSCS. “Today, I learned how to program a robot to write letters and the real robot moved the way the virtual robot moved. I liked sharing our class project that we worked on over the week. Seeing what everyone produced was really fun and engaging. Everything presented was engaging and interesting. I feel very confident that I can use this with my students. This was a really great class and exceeded my expectations.” —- Sheila Chew, Math Teacher Please join Beth Fisher, Ed.D, Principal of OCSCS, at the 14th Annual C-STEM Conference ( https://lnkd.in/gj8S4Yum) at UC Davis on October 4, 2024, where she will share her vision and the journey of OCSCS.

Please join the session “Competition & Programs: RoboPlay Challenge Competition to Showcase Students' Creativity, Problem-Solving, and Teamwork Skills” at the 14th Annual C-STEM Conference organized by UC Davis Center for Integrated Computing and STEM Education (C-STEM)  on October 4, 2024 at the UC Davis Conference Center (more info at https://lnkd.in/gj8S4Yum) to learn more about RoboPlay Competition. RoboPlay (https://lnkd.in/ghrHB4gw) is a theme-based level playing field robotics competition for K-12 students. It is designed for students to showcase their real-world math problem solving skills in a competitive environment.  Join this session to learn you can organize your own RoboPlay Challenge Competition in your class, school or district with the support and guidance of UC Davis C-STEM Center.  Find out why students, teachers, administrators, and community love RoboPlay Challenge Competitions!