Teachers play a crucial role in preparing students for a future shaped by technology. But it can be difficult to integrate these essential computer skills into their classrooms. As part of its ongoing commitment to empowering educators, Google is working to help strengthen computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education around the world, with a particular focus on emphasis on supporting teachers in this area. Computer Education Week (CSEdWeek) from December 9 to 15.
Lean on Google.org’s ongoing effortsCSEdWeek is an opportunity for educators, students, and communities to come together, virtually and in person, to explore careers and learning opportunities in computer science. Sound like something you’d like to be a part of? You can also participate… start here to find CS educational resources available year-round.
This CSedWeek, we are announcing that we have provided more than $5 million in 2024 to support organizations that promote computer science education across the United States. Here are some of the initiatives we have supported:
1. PrepareCS trains future computer science teachers
With support from Google.org, PrepareCS facilitates the integration of computer science and computational thinking into teacher education programs in the United States, including integrated and stand-alone approaches. This support will establish a community of practice and multi-year support for two cohorts, each composed of 10 institutions and their faculty and administrators. Pre-employment work is very complex and can be done integratively, through certification or additional courses, or by designing entirely new programs and specializations. What makes this program unique is that it creates communities of practice to facilitate the right intervention for each institution.
2. AI4K12 expands middle school AI teacher capacity
Based on their research on 5 big ideas in AI And K-12 AI Guidelines» AI4K12.org expands professional development opportunities for middle school teachers in Georgia, Texas and Florida. The program will enable teachers to introduce fundamental AI concepts and learning principles to their students, aligned with the guidelines and curriculum developed within the AI for Georgia project. These cutting-edge AI educational materials provide thousands of middle school students from diverse backgrounds with the opportunity to learn how AI works, better preparing them for future technology careers.
3. CSTA strengthens CS teachers’ capabilities and connections
Google worked closely with the Association of Computer Science Teachers (CSTA) for the past five years, including sponsoring the organization’s annual conference and their Equity Fellowship. This year, Google.org provided funding to support CSTA’s multi-year strategic plan to ensure every student is prepared for a world powered by computing through access to high-quality computing education. In addition to supporting the rewrite of the K12 CS standards, this will help grow the CSTA teacher community, particularly among teachers of other disciplines interested in CS/CT integration across subject areas, and facilitate the development of a teacher-centered CS education policy agenda.
4. App Inventor promotes community and creativity
Application inventor is a free global platform that teaches computer science, data science, and AI by enabling students and teachers to create mobile apps that address real-world problems. In addition to expanding its global Appathon Challenges, Google.org supports the U.S.-based App Inventor educator community for hundreds of educators who use App Inventor creatively in the classroom through the App Inventor Educator Collaborative. This initiative supports teachers by providing them with the resources they need to integrate practical application development into their classrooms, making computer science education more engaging and accessible.
By supporting teachers with training, community resources and more, we can help them create classrooms where students learn to thrive in a technology-driven future. And that’s exactly what CSEdWeek is about.