mindSpark Learning Announces Commitment to Expand Computer Science Education Professional Learning Programs at CSEdWeek

DENVER, Dec. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- mindSpark Learning (mSL), a nationally-focused nonprofit dedicated to re-engineering education through educators with unique professional learning experiences for both school leaders and teachers, played an integral part in this year's Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), which took place nationally December 3-9. CSEdWeek helps bring awareness about computer science education to communities, inspiring commitment for the next school year.

Attending the national kickoff in Seattle on December 3, the organization, as the Code.org Colorado Regional Partner, announced its commitment to expand computer science education by creating K-12 pathways to provide professional learning programs to 32 high, 96 middle, and 500 elementary school teachers, and continuing to seek foundation grants to promote K-12 pathways providing elementary robotics kits and supporting professional development. Additionally, mSL invited the following six Colorado school districts to attend the Seattle kickoff, each committed to improving or implementing computer science programs in their districts:  

1. Adams 12 Five Star Schools
2. Poudre School District
3. Littleton Public Schools
4. Pueblo City Schools District 60
5. Falcon School District 49
6. Widefield School District

Locally, mSL coordinated seven computer science (CS) events, which 3,000 students, educators, parents, community members and businesses attended. mindSpark Learning's staff and local tech organizations provided background on why CS education is crucial, how leaders can bring Code.org computer science programs to their schools and ways in which robotics can be integrated into CS courses. CSEdWeek attendees gained hands-on experience with Code.org's Hour of Code programs as well as robotics such as Wonder Workshops' Dash and Dot, Ozobots, and Sphero SPRK+. Throughout these events, mSL raffled eight Dashes, seven Cues, 200 Ara the Star Engineer books and 6,000 pieces of Hour of Code swag.

"We are forever grateful to Code.org and the Gill Foundation for their support in our mission to help bring computer science education to schools across the state," said mindSpark Learning Director of Computer Science Education Tina Granato. "With their support, we provided computer science learning programs to more than 800 teachers, impacting hundreds of schools in 48 districts and 100,000 students. We look forward to exceeding that impact in the 2019-20 school year because of the success last week's events!"

To learn more about mindSpark Learning's computer science initiatives, please visit www.mymindsparklearning.org/computer-science/.

About mindSpark Learning 
mindSpark Learning, a Denver-based nonprofit founded as Share Fair Nation in 2007 and rebranded in 2017, is the catalyst and intermediary between education and industry. It is dedicated to evolving education through educators and mobilizing diverse communities to create sustained economies. mindSpark Learning leads programs and services designed to help schools understand workforce development, participate in work-based learning experiences, foster career literacy and directly connect students to mentors and authentic opportunities at a young age. Its core areas of focus are critical to today's education landscape and include STEM, EdTech, Social-emotional learning (SEL) and Equity-centered Design Thinking. These lay the foundation for skills that are inherently necessary for career success.

mindSpark Learning is re-engineering education by incorporating the voice of community leaders in a variety of fields - from education, to industry, to government. Since 2017, mindSpark Learning has impacted 13,074 education professionals. For more information, please visit www.mymindsparklearning.org.

Media Contact:
Kim Peterson
[email protected]  
(630) 835-4020

SOURCE mindSpark Learning

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