CSEd Resources
Hi, I'm Cassie!
Kansas City is my home and computer science is my passion. That's why CS Ed Week is my favorite holiday, and I'm so excited to be celebrating it with you December 4-10, 2023!
The demand for computer science skills is growing twice as fast as the supply, and it’s important our community is part of the solution. My friends at the KC Tech Council created me to increase awareness of the skills gap, encourage folks to support computer science education, and spread the word about opportunities available in our own backyard.
For CSEdWeek 2023, the KC Tech Council team deployed employees of KCTC member companies to speak to Kansas City-area second through fifth-grade classrooms about tech career paths. With the tech talent pipeline influenced as early as kindergarten, it's essential to introduce kids to tech careers in a language they'll understand. While this initiative is being kicked off in conjunction with CS Ed Week, the presentation deck (saved as an editable Canva template with speaker notes) is a tool you're welcome to use throughout the year. Do you need a classroom to partner with, or are you an educator looking for upcoming speakers? Please feel free to reach out.Â
If you're interested in viewing the deck in a different format, please don't hesitate to contact alexa@kctechcouncil.com.
For Educators
BARR Advisory has teamed up with a cohort of partners and clients to provide teachers, parents, and students with a comprehensive resource for starting thoughtful conversations about cybersecurity and internet safety.
The package includes five videos, available to view or download, featuring conversational, age-appropriate interviews with leaders in cybersecurity, technology, and software development on topics such as cyber careers, digital citizenship and social media safety.
KC STEM Alliance created STEM Connect-KC, a year-round directory where educators, parents and caregivers can search for tech and other STEAM activities.
Within the resource, you can find organizations that offer STEM programming or support STEM education and workforce development such as camps, events and activities in the Greater Kansas City area. If you are a STEM program provider looking to add your information to the directory, please fill out this form.
You don't have to be a software developer to teach computer science. More than one million teachers have brought CS to their students using Code.org. They make it easy, no matter your background.
In addition to courses, teachers can use App Lab and Game Lab in any course to teach students how to create apps, animations, and games in JavaScript. And, they have lessons and widgets to teach encryption, text compression, and other computer science concepts.
SnapIT Solutions designed a six month "Train the Trainer" course specifically targeting teachers interested in training computer science in high schools. Click to view additional information and program outlines for the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Foundations of Computer Science.
Garmin believes in sparking curiosity and sharing its love of engineering. Technical and scientific literacy can lead to incredible creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking. Garmin offers several avenues for its associates to engage with students, knowing a child who is curious about STEM today could create life-changing solutions in the future. From "Engineers in the Classroom" to "Not Your Typical Jobs in Tech" and so much more, Garmin has a variety of ways to inspire the next generation of innovators.
For K-12 Learners & Parents
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics education is more important than ever, given an estimated $40 trillion is needed for global infrastructure solutions over the next 30 years. Black & Veatch continues its longstanding commitment to students through the growSTEM initiative.
Its growSTEM activities are a cornerstone of the Black & Veatch Foundation and contribute meaningfully to its efforts across multiple themes of our Sustainability and Citizenship strategy.
Through Burns & McDonnell's ongoing commitment to STEM education, students and teachers have a chance to see STEM careers in action! Their programs include job shadows, summer camps, Battle of the Brains competition, teacher workshops, classroom initiatives and its STEM Resources page. You can also read more about its commitment to STEM education or visit its K-12 Education Outreach page for more information.
Code.org is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups. With over 210 million projects created, there's no doubt students have a blast participating in the Hour of Code, a variety of courses and so much more.
Code Ninjas is the world’s largest and fastest-growing kids coding franchise, with locations around the Kansas City area in Lenexa, Leawood and Lee's Summit.
At their centers, kids learn to code while building their own video games. They gain problem-solving, critical thinking, and STEM skills in a fun, safe, and inspiring environment. Spark your child's inner ninja through an engaging game-based curriculum that boosts self-confidence and teaches teamwork, logic, and problem-solving.
Building the perfect learning environment for students can be challenging and expensive, especially when it comes to computer science and technology education.
Help support Kansas City classrooms looking for engineering and technology tools by fulfilling local wishlists through Donors Choose.
Kansas City Women in Technology is a non-profit grassroots organization aimed at growing the number of women in tech careers in Kansas City. Programs include Coding & Cupcakes, a tasty series teaching parents and daughters to code and CoderDojoKC, the Kansas City connection to global collaboration for ages seven to 17, providing free and open learning, especially in programming technology.
Science City at Union Station is a dynamic, hands-on science center featuring 200+ individual interactive exhibits and daily programming. Kids of all ages experience the amazing world of STEM first-hand through fun and engaging exhibits and programs. In addition to changing monthly themes and daily programs and activities open to all guests, Science City offers onsite curriculum-based programs to school groups (k-12), outreach programs and an onsite eight-week summer camp.
WeCodeKC is an initiative that serves the urban core of KC, exposing youth to various programming languages, technology, cyber security, and computer science concepts. Learning the basic concept of coding develops creativity, problem-solving skills, builds confidence and helps to build a positive future. Every child, no matter their zip code or their family’s financial status, should have the opportunity to learn to code.
Have a resource that you believe should be added to this page? We'd love to hear about it! Please feel free to reach out here.Â
Classroom Wishes Come True with KCTC's Tech for Teachers
Believe it or not, just like a winning football team starts building its strategy from the early plays, the tech talent pipeline is influenced as early as kindergarten. However, more than ever, educators have to spend money out-of-pocket to provide students with the opportunities they deserve to succeed and tech-related purchases are some of the most costly. In response, the KC Tech Council launched the Tech for Teachers program and teamed up with JReid InDeed, a charitable organization founded by KC Chiefs Justin Reid, to provide classrooms with tech-enabled learning.
From programmable robots to virtual reality headsets and so much more, our team has had the pleasure of supporting 11 classrooms around the Kansas City area with tech-related wishlist items for the 2023-2024 school year! A big thank you to Cboe Global Markets on your generous contribution to make this year's initiative possible.Â
Although this year's Tech for Teachers program has come to a close, the remaining educator wish lists can be found here. Please consider fulfilling items and shipping them directly to classrooms.