COMPUTER SCIENCE FIRST PROGRAM

COMPUTER SCIENCE FIRST PROGRAM

COMPUTER SCIENCE (CS) FIRST PROGRAM The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office is proud to partner with Google in an effort to promote computer science (CS) education in Michigan schools through the CS First program. CS First is a free program that increases student access and exposure to computer science education through after-school, in-school, and summer programs. All clubs are run by teachers and/or community volunteers. The goals of the partnership between the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office and Google are to: Increase confidence when using computers Instill courage to try new things Grow perseverance when tackling difficult problems Provide a sense of belonging in technology for under-represented students Demonstrate the impact that CS has in careers and communities Importance of computer science education in Michigan Computer science is a 21st century skill. Currently, only one in 10 K 12 schools in the United States offers computer science classes. In addition, 75 percent of the population is underrepresented in computer science, even though exposure to computer science leads to some of the highest paying jobs in the world. Opportunities for graduates with computer science degrees are plentiful. Jobs in computing are growing at twice the national rate of other types of jobs. By 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be one million more computer science jobs than graduating students qualified for them. In Michigan alone, the demand for computing jobs is growing at over three times the state average. What is CS First? CS First empowers all students to create with technology through free computer science clubs. It provides easy-to-use computer science enrichment materials that target and engage a diverse student population. CS First overview Materials are targeted at students in grades 4 8 (ages 9 14) Clubs are run by teachers and/or community volunteers. No computer science experience necessary! CS First materials are video-based Program can be tailored to fit your schedule and needs Student projects involve block-based coding and are themed to attract students with varied interests Themed clubs attract students with varied interests Data highlighted throughout this document is compiled through the sources of code.org and Google CS First. Each theme has eight activities. Each activity takes about 60 75 minutes. Scheduling is flexible and up to you! 2

STARTING A CLUB IN YOUR SCHOOL What CS First provides PASSPORT AND BADGES for each student MARKETING FLYER for advertising your club to your students G+ COMMUNITY BOARD for students to post handouts CONTINGENCY PLANS in case technology fails HEADPHONES if you need them What Michigan Film & Digital Media Office provides Employment collaboration with community partners Promotional support (media, legislatively, etc.) Digital badging feature (TBD) CLUB PLANS AND SOLUTION SHEETS to help you run your club CERTIFICATES for students who complete your club 3

LAUNCH IN YOUR SCHOOL Creating a club Creating a club takes 5 10 minutes. To start a club, visit www.cs-first.com/start-club. Minimum requirements Access to a computer lab or laptops (one per student) Reliable Internet/Wi-Fi connection Access to students What you need COMPUTER LAB with Internet Choose a theme and request materials TEACHER HOST to supervise the club You will be guided through the following steps: Create a schedule GURUS to facilitate the club Check computers to make sure all required website work properly Participants Teacher host: The teacher in the computer lab (~1 per club); can be a teacher, parent, college student, volunteer, etc. No computer science expertise required. Gurus: Volunteers or teachers who facilitate the club (~2 per club); can be parents, high school or college students, volunteers, etc. No computer science expertise required. Club members: Students (~20 per club); targeted for 4th 8th graders Additionally, we ask that you: Complete the attached application form and return it to the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office (Appendix A) Sign MOU document recognizing the partnership of the CS First program as being between the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office and Google and all communication and marketing related to the CS First program must first be approved by the aforementioned parties (Appendix B) Agree to provide relevant statistics related to the impact of the CS First program in your school (Appendix C) to the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office The Michigan Film & Digital Media Office and Google will be hosting a statewide launch of the CS First program in January 2016. If you are interested in participating in this launch, please contact Jenell Leonard, Commissioner, Michigan Film & Digital Media Office, by December 15, 2015. Jenell Leonard Commissioner, Michigan Film & Digital Media Office leonardj4@michigan.org 517.335.6539 4

COMPUTER SCIENCE (CS) FIRST PROGRAM Frequently asked questions How much does it cost to implement CS First in my school? Nothing. CS First is a free online-based computer science first program. When can I launch the CS First program? You can launch the CS First program at any time. Schools that opt to begin the CS First program are encouraged to participate in a statewide launch in January of 2016. Additional details will be provided by the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office in December 2015. How many computers are needed for a CS club? One laptop per student is required for successful implementation Will CS First work on ipads? No, the CS First program is not accessible on ipads. Please plan on using Chromebooks, laptops, or desktops. Is any additional software needed to implement CS First? No, no additional software is needed, only Internet and access to Wi-Fi Do teachers and gurus need background in computer science in order to teach CS First? No, the easy-to-understand curriculum makes it possible for anyone to teach CS First, regardless of education or background Where can we find teachers and volunteers to help implement CS First? When you create your CS First club, you will have the option to find volunteers. It is the responsibility of the school or location hosting the club to perform any background checks or vetting that may be required. Other participating schools have recruited teachers and volunteers from local colleges and university students, parents, and community organizations (i.e., Boys and Girls Clubs of America, YMCA, Teachers of America, etc.) Can CS First be used during the school day? Yes, many clubs are already doing this. CS First is flexible and can be tailored to fit your particular needs and schedule. Will posters and marketing material be provided to my school for promotional efforts? Yes, poster and marketing material can be provided to your school to promote the CS First program in your school. Please contact the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office for more information. Additional FAQs and information can be found at www.cs-first.com/faq. 5

APPENDIX A: Application form Name of school Address City State Zip County Contact Phone Email Yes, I will be implementing the CS First program in my school Yes, I would like to participate in the statewide launch of the CS First program in January 2016 (additional details will be provided closer to the date) I am interested in pursuing the CS First program in my school, but need additional information No, I am not interested in pursuing the CS First program at this time Please return completed form to: Michigan Film & Digital Media Office c/o Jenell Leonard 300 North Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI 48913 eml leonardj4@michigan.org tel 517.335.6539 fax 517.241.3689 6

APPENDIX B: Memo of understanding I, the undersigned, are aware of the partnership between the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office and Google to launch the CS First program throughout Michigan and therefore agree not to distribute communication or marketing material without the direct consent of both parties as provided by the commissioner of the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office. Signature Date Printed name Name of school Address City State Zip County Contact Phone Email Please return completed form to: Michigan Film & Digital Media Office c/o Jenell Leonard 300 North Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI 48913 eml leonardj4@michigan.org tel 517.335.6539 fax 517.241.3689 7

APPENDIX C: Measuring success through statistics In an effort to measure the success of the implementation of the CS First program throughout the state of Michigan, it is respectfully requested that each participating school provide the below relevant statistics related to their respective club/school. Data will be Number of students enrolled in the school Number of CS First clubs in your school Which CS First program themes were chosen and implemented Number of students enrolled in the CS First program Number of students completed the CS First program Number of teachers and volunteers assisting the school with the implementation of the CS First program. Number of: teachers volunteers Volunteers are recruited from: parent/guardians college students community leaders other Name of school Address City State Zip County Contact Phone Email Please return completed form to: Michigan Film & Digital Media Office c/o Jenell Leonard 300 North Washington Avenue, Lansing, MI 48913 eml leonardj4@michigan.org tel 517.335.6539 fax 517.241.3689 8

APPENDIX D: Draft press release CONTACT NAME DATE Local school [school name] implements Google computer science first program [City, state] Through the statewide partnership of the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office and Google, [local school name] joins the growing list of Michigan schools implementing the Google-based computer science (CS) program, CS First. CS First is an online-based curriculum that increases student access and exposure to computer science education through after-school, in-school, and summer programs. All clubs are run by teachers and/or community volunteers. [Quote and statistics by local school] [Quotes from MI Film & Digital Media Office and Google] Only one in 10 K 12 schools in the United States offers computer science classes. In addition, 75 percent of the population is underrepresented in computer science, even though exposure to computer science leads to some of the highest paying jobs in the world. Opportunities for graduates with computer science degrees are plentiful with jobs in computing growing at twice the national rate of other types of jobs. By 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be one million more computer science jobs than graduating students qualified for them. In Michigan alone, the demand for computing jobs is growing at over three times the state average with the average earnings for those employed in digital-media related industries in Michigan nearly $89,000. 3453-151012 9