Launch_K5 Computer Science Professional Development Academy

Scholarships Are Available!

Register now to attend grant-funded training! If our summer 2025 training dates don’t work for you or your staff, reach out to see if we can bring the training to you on your schedule.WeTeach_CS at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (UT Austin) secured grant funding to provide training scholarships and physical computing kits to K-5 teachers in support of the Technology Applications TEKS. The initial grant period was Summer 2024 through February 2025. The grant was extended through December 2025 and Region 13 has secured additional funding to provide this training during summer 2025. Not in the Region 13 service area? Check the Launch_K5 CS Workshops & Trainers page for other training providers.

Unlock New Possibilities

Welcome to Launch_K5 Computer Science, where education takes flight into a realm of innovation and possibilities! Launch_K5 CS is a dynamic 3-day workshop designed for K-5 educators by the experts at WeTeach_CS, the K-12 professional development arm of the Texas Advanced Computing Center at UT, and crafted with meticulous alignment to the new K-5 Technology Applications TEKS that began implementation in the 2024-2025 school year.

This engaging professional learning experience:

• Models how to integrate the new Technology Applications TEKS into existing instruction, with and without devices.
• Includes ready-to-implement sample lessons that address science, math, and ELAR TEKS, in English and in Spanish.
• Is accessible and engaging for educators of all technology comfort levels, even those who prefer to teach “unplugged.”
• Discover a wealth of K-5 lessons, both unplugged and plugged, ready to be seamlessly integrated into your classrooms. Embrace the future of education as you explore block-based coding and physical computing – essential skills for fostering a generation of learners prepared to thrive in the modern world.

Workshop Highlights

• Interactive Workshop: Immerse yourself in a transformative 3-day workshop that equips educators with the skills to seamlessly integrate computer science into their teaching practices.
• TEKS Alignment: Gain insights into aligning your teaching strategies with the latest Tech Apps TEKS, ensuring your curriculum is up-to-date and in line with educational standards.
• Inclusive Curriculum: Explore a comprehensive set of K-5 lessons, including both unplugged and plugged activities, that you can immediately implement in your classroom.
• Coding and Physical Computing: Embrace the future of education by learning about block-based coding and physical computing, essential skills for preparing our students for the digital age.

Audience

This opportunity is best suited for K-5 educators who will be embedding the new Technology Applications TEKS into their regular instruction. However, educators teaching the Technology Applications TEKS as a stand-alone course or rotation will also benefit.