WeTeach_CS Summit 2025: Full Schedule

June 9-10, 2025
Renaissance Austin Hotel - 9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759
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10:00am CDT

Spectacular Science Projects with Scratch

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Sabine

Scratch Coding is a wonderful way to teach elementary students how to code. Learn the best practices to help your students grow from novices to experts in computer science. Elementary and middle school students will combine research, writing, science, art, music, sound editing - and a lot of fun. Learn how to integrate the new Tech App TEKS into core-subject concepts and TEKS. Examples and full lesson plans will be given for projects including animating a cow’s digestive system, illustrating bee pollination, showing the development of a chicken egg, circuits, medieval castles, physical computing, and more. (There are some history projects as well as science). Directions are picture based and step by step. Even if you have never used Scratch- these instructions are designed for 2nd-8th grade students to follow independently and push them to the top of Bloom’s Taxonomy- not to mention personal satisfaction.

Presenters

Elizabeth White

CTE Engineering Teacher, GT District Coordinator, Hawkins ISD

Elizabeth White is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and is an Andrew Carnegie Scholar for the School of Design. She spent 13 years as a software and UI experience designer for several software companies and then made a career switch to teaching. She currently teaches 1st-12th... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Sabine

Integrating Computational Thinking / Computer Science / Cybersecurity into other subjects, K-8

11:15am CDT

Micro:bit Magic - Sparking Science with Hands-On Tech

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT

Sabine

Discover how to engage middle school students in science using Micro:bit in this hands-on session. Participants will explore TEKS-aligned activities, from measuring environmental data to simulating genetic traits. You'll gain practical experience programming using Micro:bit. Walk away with ready-to-implement strategies that make abstract concepts concrete, while fostering students' critical thinking and data analysis skills. Transform your science classroom into an interactive, tech-powered learning environment that excites and inspires!

Presenters

Cindy Hopkins

Teacher, Kaffie Middle School

Facebook.com/cindy.hopkins.35/

Tuesday June 10, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm CDT
Sabine

Physical Computing, Middle School (Grades 6-8)

1:30pm CDT

Why Sense of Belonging Matters (And How to Increase It)

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Sabine

Building students’ sense of belonging is critical to recruiting, engaging, and retaining them in computer science (CS). When students feel they belong, they are ready to engage on a deeper level. However, girls often feel they do not belong in CS classes. Our research lab has been studying when and why these gender gaps emerge in CS to help teachers address them. Teachers will be presented with research findings in a simple, actionable, and fun way to discuss in a community of practice. Teachers will leave with an action plan to promote their students' belonging.

Presenters

Allison Master

Assistant Professor, University of Houston

@allisonmaster.bsky.social

Summer Robinson

Graduate Student/Research Assistant, University of Houston

Hi, my name is Summer Robinson! I am a Ph.D. student in the Measurement, Quantitative Methods, and Learning Sciences program at the University of Houston. I am an educator with experience as a classroom teacher, creating video lessons for local television, and a district-level instructional... Read More →

Tuesday June 10, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Sabine

Broadening Participation, Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12)