CS Resources

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Our EduTech team has curated a list of Computer Science and Cybersecurity Resources to help educators and students have access to quality training and support to use technologies in their classroom to improve teaching and learning in North Dakota. Below you will find a variety of resources, free curriculum, student competitions and events, organizations and programs, professional development, and more!

Free Resources

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Free Resources

Cyber.org

Cyber.org empowers educators, caregivers, and families through curricula, training, cyber events and free resources such as videos, activities, comics, and more!

code.org

Code.org offers free computer science courses, curriculum, and projects for students and educators, including free resources for Hour of Code.

Code.org-Unplugged Activities

Unplugged lessons from Code.org's CS Fundamentals are particularly useful for creating a collaborative classroom.

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Cyber.org Career Exploration

Students need to know what careers are available to them as they shape their education. Cyber.org provides resources to help explore a variety of careers available in the cyber workforce.

Hour of Code

The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. Anyone, anywhere can organize an Hour of Code event or try any of the 500+ one-hour tutorials, available in over 45 languages.

CS Unplugged

A collection of free learning activities that teach Computer Science through engaging games and puzzles that use cards, string, crayons and lots of running around.

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ND Citizens Skills for All

Designed for learner success, Skills for All provides free, quality, self-paced online learning and connects learners to entry-level IT jobs, industry certifications, and valuable career resources.

Minecraft Education

Minecraft: Education is a game-based learning platform that builds STEM skills, unleashes creativity and engages students in collaboration and problem-solving.

Indigenous Resources

The following resources have been curated by EduTech to help bring them directly to educators and students.

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Hello Ruby

Hello Ruby is the world’s most whimsical way to learn about computers, technology and programming.

Ozobot

Ozobot puts the A in STEAM with 2 Ways to Code–on screens with blocks and screen-free with colors.

Python

Python is an interpreted high-level general-purpose programming language.

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Scratch

Scratch is a high-level block-based visual programming language and website targeted primarily at children 8–16 as an educational tool for programming.

Scratch Jr

ScratchJr is a visual programming language designed to introduce programming skills to children ages 5–7.

Sphero EDU

Sphero is transforming K-12 education with accessible tools that encourage exploration, imagination, and perseverance through STEAM and computer science.

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MakeCode

Microsoft MakeCode is a free, open source platform for creating engaging computer science learning experiences that support a progression path into real-world programming.

MAKECODE FOR MICRO:BIT

Micro:bits are pocket-sized computers that can be easily programmed using Microsoft's MakeCode editor - a perfect way to start coding!

PYTHON FOR MICRO:BIT

Explore programming fundamentals with the benefits of the micro:bit using this new and fun python code editor.

Featured Free Curriculum

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Featured Free Curriculum

Cyber.org Find Curricula

Cyber.org offers a variety of free curriculum for K-12. Subjects include Cybersecurity, Coding Fundamentals, Networking, Robotics in the Classroom, Cyber Literacy, and more! Browse through the list of Courses, Units, and Activities to find Curricula for your classroom.

EduTech offers professional development for many of the Cyber.org courses – see CYBER.ORG 8-hour asynchronous training opportunities

Code.org CS Fundamentals (K-5)

Designed to be fun and engaging, Code.org’s progression of Computer Science Fundamentals courses blend online and “unplugged” non-computer activities to teach students computational thinking, problem solving, programming concepts and digital citizenship.

Professional Development Workshops

Code.org CS Discoveries (6-10)

Computer Science Discoveries is an introductory course for 6 – 10th grade students that can be flexibly taught as a single semester, two semesters over multiple years, or as a full year course. Mapped to CSTA standards, the course takes a wide lens on computer science by covering topics such as problem solving, programming, physical computing, user-centered design, and data, while inspiring students as they build their own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices.

Professional Development Workshops

Code.org CS Principles (9-12)

Designed for 9 – 12 grade students, CS Principles introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world. This year-long course can be taught as an introductory course and as an AP course – no prerequisites required for students or teachers new to computer science! CS Principles complements CS Discoveries with a deeper focus on concepts such as how the internet works and the societal impacts of computer science.

Professional Development Workshops

Student Competitions and Events

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Student Competitions and Events

Cyber Madness

The ND Cyber Madness High School and Middle School Tournaments are friendly competition events created to get students involved in cybersecurity.

Cyber Start America

CyberStart America invites you to play a free, immersive cybersecurity training game for high school students, built by world leaders in cybersecurity education. Complete as many challenges as you can in CyberStart and you may qualify for scholarship opportunities offered by the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation!

Cyber Patriot

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other STEM disciplines critical to our nation’s future. At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation’s largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks.

VEX Robotics Competition

All students are natural scientists and engineers. They love to question, tinker, experiment and play. VEX competitions foster these skills and capitalize on the motivational effects of competitions and robotics to help all students create an identity as a STEM learner. Tournaments are held year-round at the regional, state, and national levels and culminate at the VEX Robotics World Championship each April!

ND K12 Technology Showcase

EduTech invites you to showcase your classroom technology in the ND K12 Technology Showcase at the North Dakota State Capitol. We want to see the amazing ways your school is engaging students with computer science and cybersecurity. Students will demonstrate to and interact with state leaders and stakeholders.

Organizations and Programs

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Organizations and Programs

GenCyber

The GenCyber program provides cybersecurity experiences for students and teachers at the secondary level. GenCyber camps are open to all student and teacher participants at no cost.

Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in technology and to change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. Girls Who Code offers a variety of programs and events including student clubs, summer programs, and college & career programs.

Girls Who Code Clubs are free programs for 3rd-5th and 6th-12th grade students using computer science to change the world. Clubs offer fun activities through a flexible curriculum that adapts to your unique needs as after-school, weekend, or summer programs. Click here to apply and start a Club at your school!

UCodeGirl

UCodeGirl is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization designed to inspire, engage, and equip young women with leadership traits, computational thinking skills, and entrepreneurial mindsets. With various age-appropriate enrichment programs and STEM mentorship initiatives, uCodeGirl makes technology learning accessible, relevant and fun.

NCWIT

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is the farthest-reaching network of change leaders focused on advancing innovation by correcting underrepresentation in computing.

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) honors 9th-12th grade female students and educators for their computing-related achievements and interests and encourages them to pursue their passions.
NCWIT AspireIT Toolkit - Get inspired by engaging activity ideas and real-life sample program materials, consider multiple program types to implement, and utilize “How-To Guides” for planning and facilitation of these electronics and computing events.
Counselors for Computing (C4C) - The NCWIT Counselors for Computing (C4C) program provides information and resources that help counselors join the front line of the computing conversation. We bring people and programs together with professional development, knowledge, and resources to give all students access to transformative computing careers.

Microsoft TEALS Program

Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) is a Microsoft Philanthropies program that builds sustainable CS programs in high schools and focus on serving students excluded from learning CS because of race, gender, or geography. TEALS helps teachers learn to teach CS by pairing them with industry volunteers and proven curricula.

Professional Development Trainings and Workshops

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Professional Development Trainings and Workshops

Register today for an upcoming training workshop. EduTech provides access to a wide variety of trainings, workshops, and professional development opportunities. Learn more about training options, and how you can earn PD Credits.

View all Upcoming Training Sessions

CYBER.ORG 8-hour asynchronous training opportunities:

Computational Thinking - 3-12 curricula
Cybersecurity Basics-Digital Citizenship - K-8 curricula
Cybersecurity Basics-Security - K-8 curricula
Cybersecurity with microbits - 4-12 curricula
Cyber Society – 9-12 curricula
Intro to Cybersecurity Part 1 - 9-12 curricula
Intro to Cybersecurity Part 2 - 9-12 curricula
Intro to Cybersecurity Part 3 - 9-12 curricula
Introduction to micro:bit - block coding - 4-12 curricula
Introduction to python using microbit - 4-12 curricula
Micro:bit with STEM EDA - 6-8 curricula
Science+ - 3-5 curricula
STEM EDA - 6-8 curricula

Professional Development Conferences

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Professional Development Conferences

IgniteND

IgniteND is an exciting conference focused on innovative education and inspiring a love of life-long learning. This three (3) day conference is an opportunity for educators and industry, parents and policymakers, to engage on 21st century education topics – including computer science and cybersecurity as foundational for success in a global, digital economy.

CSTA Annual Conference

CSTA's Annual Conference is a chance for computer science teachers to come together to find strength in their local community through networking events, engage with PD, and to identify ways to impact students and teachers outside your classroom.

CSTA Scholarships

NDATL Conference

NDATL – North Dakota Association of Technology Leaders – is committed to the improvement of education through the use of technology. With membership totaling over 250 and conference attendance over 200, we invite you to join us as we push the boundaries of education by harnessing the power of technology to advance learning and teaching!

Additional Resources

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Additional Resources

Standards

Programs

Code.org District Partner Program

Credentials and Certificates

Guidance and Policies

AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit

HB1398

HB 1398 makes North Dakota the first state to require Cybersecurity and Computer Science credits for high school graduation. Learn more about HB1398 and how to implement these new education requirements:

HB1398 Starter Guide