Professional Development

Minnesota Educators, Minnesota Classrooms.

The Minnesota Department of Education is actively integrating computer science into the K-12 academic standards, making a significant shift in how computer science will be taught in Minnesota. Currently, there are specific benchmarks in Art, Science and Language Arts that have been identified as key opportunities to seamlessly integrate computer science concepts into those content areas. The purpose of integrating computer science is a state-wide commitment to providing high-quality computer science opportunities in all classes because of the role technology plays in every aspect of students’ lives. For educators in Minnesota, this means that computer science will not be confined to dedicated technology or computer science classrooms. Instead, it will play a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum and pedagogy across all subjects and grade levels, from Kindergarten to twelfth grade. 

To empower an entire educator workforce with the skills and confidence to teach and integrate computer science, the key lies in high-quality professional development. At Code Savvy, our approach stands out as our professional development opportunities are intentionally designed and delivered by Minnesota educators who understand the challenges inherent to Minnesota classrooms. Our focus goes beyond teaching educators technical skills, and includes effective computer science pedagogy to support the seamless integration of new knowledge and skills directly into the classroom. 

Explore our range of professional development sessions designed to meet the evolving needs of educators. It is important to note that all of our sessions are fully customizable, ensuring that they align with the unique needs of educators, schools and districts.

Leveraging AI Tools in the Classroom

Overview: K-12 PD delivered virtually or in-person in three 2-hour sessions for a total of 6 synchronous hours. By the end of this PD educators will have an understanding of AI, know how to bring it to their students, and create a school-wide AI Policy. 

Session Breakdown:

• What is AI? (2 hours): This session focuses on developing educators’ content knowledge on AI and how it works. Educators will explore a variety of LLMs and brainstorm practical uses of AI in their own content area. 
• AI and Students (2 hours): Session two focuses on strategies and resources for teaching students about AI and its impact on society. 
• Developing AI Policies (2 hours): The final session focuses on co-developing classroom AI policies with educators. As well as sharing information and resources on developing a school-wide AI policy. 

Ongoing Support: Free resources, dedicated email support, access to our educator network. 

Grades: K-12

Cost: PD rates vary by workshop size, contact us at educators@codesavvy.org for a quote.

Integrating Computer Science in Elementary School

Overview: A 6-hour kickoff session will be followed by three Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions, each ranging from 1.5 to 2 hours. This PD can be delivered virtually or in-person. By the end of the PD, educators will be able to integrate CS across various content areas. 

Session Breakdown:

• Kick-Off Session (6 hours): The kick-off session will prepare educators to dive into computer science and computational thinking. By the end of this session, participants will have explored both the Minnesota Integrated CS Standards and CSTA Standards, pinpointing areas for integrating into their own classrooms. Educators will collaboratively take a deeper dive into CS with grade level tools, curricula, and resources for opportunities to integrate CS into their own classrooms. 
• PLC (three 2 hour sessions): In the following PLC sessions, educators will deepen their technical and CS pedagogical knowledge. These sessions will provide personalized and collaborative support for educators who are integrating computer science opportunities into their classrooms. 

Ongoing Support: Free resources, dedicated email support, virtual coaching sessions, access to our educator network. 

Standards Alignment: Aligned to the Minnesota Integrated Standards and CSTA Standards

Grades: K-5

Cost: PD rates vary by workshop size, contact us at educators@codesavvy.org for a quote.

Computer Science in Early Elementary

Overview: Three 3- hour sessions dedicated to bringing computer science to early elementary students. This PD can be delivered virtually or in-person. By the end of this PD, educators will be able to define computational thinking and computer science and identify how they bring these key skills to young learners.

Session Breakdowns:

• Computational Thinking (3 hours): This session will center around computational thinking as a problem solving approach in computer science. We will explore how these concepts and approaches can be intentionally integrated across various subjects.
• CS Unplugged (3 hours): In this session, we will dive into the art of teaching computer science with the use of computers. Emphasis will be placed on integrating literacy and vocabulary intentionally to support students’ understanding of concepts and technical terms.
• CS Tools (3 hours): This session will concentrate on the technology tools available to your school and district. We will provide a brief introduction to these tools and engage in collaborative brainstorming to identify opportunities for their integration into lessons and activities.

Ongoing Support: Free resources, dedicated email support, access to our educator network. 

Grades: Pre-K to 2nd Grade

Cost: PD rates vary by workshop size, contact us at educators@codesavvy.org for a quote.

Creative Coding with Scratch

Overview: One 4 hour kick-off session followed by three 2-hour sessions. This PD can be delivered virtually or in-person. By the end of this PD, educators will be able to integrate Scratch into their classrooms with a focus on key CS themes of Game Design and Design Thinking.

Session Breakdowns:

• Kick-Off Session (4 hours): In this session,  participants will work through a crash course of Scratch, leaving the session with a strong understanding of the platform. Exploring available resources, participants will also learn effective ways to introduce Scratch to students. 
• Game Development + Scratch (2 hours): Focused on leveraging game development to enhance engagement across subjects, this session equips participants with fundamental game development skills. Educators will leave with valuable resources to seamlessly integrate game development and Scratch into their teaching. 
• Design Thinking + Scratch (2 hours): This session emphasizes how Scratch can effectively teach students about human-centered design and creating for a cause. Educators will delve into design thinking concepts, discovering how to complement these skills in Scratch. This session will also provide an opportunity to explore a Design Thinking unit. 
• Integrating Scratch Across Subjects (2 hours): Building on their Scratch knowledge, educators in this session will design a lesson or activity integrating Scratch with a subject of their choice. The focus of this session will be on collaborative brainstorming and resource gathering to support the seamless integration of Scratch into various subjects. 

Ongoing Support: Free resources, dedicated email support, access to our educator network. 

Grades: 2nd to 8th Grade

Cost: PD rates vary by workshop size, contact us at educators@codesavvy.org for a quote.

Integrating Computer Science in Middle School

Overview: A 6-hour kickoff session will be followed by three Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions, each ranging from 1.5 to 2 hours. This PD can be delivered virtually or in-person. By the end of the PD, educators will be able to integrate CS across various content areas. 

Session Breakdown:

• Kick-Off Session (6 hours): The kick-off session will prepare educators to dive into computer science and computational thinking. By the end of this session, participants will have explored both the Minnesota Integrated CS Standards and CSTA Standards, pinpointing areas for integrating into their own classrooms. Educators will collaboratively take a deeper dive into CS with grade level tools, curricula, and resources for opportunities to integrate CS into their own classrooms. 
• PLC (three 2 hour sessions): In the following PLC sessions, educators will deepen their technical and CS pedagogical knowledge. These sessions will provide personalized and collaborative support for educators who are integrating computer science opportunities into their classrooms. 

Ongoing Support: Free resources, dedicated email support, virtual coaching sessions, access to our educator network. 

Standards Alignment: Aligned to the Minnesota Integrated Standards and CSTA Standards

Grades: 6-8

Cost: PD rates vary by workshop size, contact us at educators@codesavvy.org for a quote.

Code.org CS Discoveries

Overview: A 5-day in-person summer workshop held from June 24th to June 28th at Target North Campus. Learn more about CS Discoveries.

Session Breakdown:

• Summer Kick Off: This 5-day summer workshop will fully prepare educators to utilize Code.org curricular and teacher support systems.
• Ongoing Workshops: There are 4 workshops during the school year when teachers will reconvene for ongoing training and just-in-time support. 

Ongoing Support: Additional opportunities for online and face-to-face networking and collaboration with peers throughout the year. 

Grades: 6th – 10th grade

Cost: $2,000 dollars per teacher with scholarships available.

Integrating Computer Science in High School

Overview: A 6-hour kickoff session will be followed by three Professional Learning Community (PLC) sessions, each ranging from 1.5 to 2 hours. This PD can be delivered virtually or in-person. By the end of the PD, educators will be able to integrate CS across various content areas. 

Session Breakdown:

• Kick-Off Session (6 hours): The kick-off session will prepare educators to dive into computer science and computational thinking. By the end of this session, participants will have explored both the Minnesota Integrated CS Standards and CSTA Standards, pinpointing areas for integrating into their own classrooms. Educators will collaboratively take a deeper dive into CS with grade level tools, curricula, and resources for opportunities to integrate CS into their own classrooms. 
• PLC (three 2 hour sessions): In the following PLC sessions, educators will deepen their technical and CS pedagogical knowledge. These sessions will provide personalized and collaborative support for educators who are integrating computer science opportunities into their classrooms. 

Ongoing Support: Free resources, dedicated email support, virtual coaching sessions, access to our educator network. 

Standards Alignment: Aligned to the Minnesota Integrated Standards and CSTA Standards

Grades: 9-12

Cost: PD rates vary by workshop size, contact us at educators@codesavvy.org for a quote.

Code.org CS Principles

Overview: A 5-day in-person summer workshop held from June 24th to June 28th at Target North Campus. Learn more about CS Principles. 

Session Breakdown:

• Summer Kick Off: This 5-day summer workshop will fully prepare educators to utilize Code.org curricular and teacher support systems.
• Ongoing Workshops: There are 4 workshops during the school year when teachers will reconvene for ongoing training and just-in-time support. 

Ongoing Support: Additional opportunities for online and face-to-face networking and collaboration with peers throughout the year. 

Grades: 9th – 12th grade

Cost: $2,000 dollars per teacher with scholarships available.

Code.org CS A

Overview: A 5-day in-person summer workshop held from June 24th to June 28th at Target North Campus. Learn more about CS A.

Session Breakdown:

• Summer Kick Off: This 5-day summer workshop will fully prepare educators to utilize Code.org curricular and teacher support systems.
• Ongoing Workshops: There are 4 workshops during the school year when teachers will reconvene for ongoing training and just-in-time support. 

Ongoing Support: Additional opportunities for online and face-to-face networking and collaboration with peers throughout the year. 

Grades: 10th – 12th grade

Cost: $2,000 dollars per teacher with scholarships available.