WeTeach_CS Summit 2025: Full Schedule

June 9-10, 2025
Renaissance Austin Hotel - 9721 Arboretum Blvd, Austin, TX 78759
Click HERE to access the WTCS Summit registration page

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9:45am CDT

Rapid Feedback with JUnit Testing

Monday June 9, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT

Frio

Help students learn faster and more confidently by using JUnit tests to validate their programs. JUnit is a widely-used testing framework for Java. By providing a set of simple unit tests, students receive feedback that is timely, specific, and actionable. Students correct errors during development improving both learning and product quality. Learn JUnit basics with test classes, test methods, assertions, and annotations. Examples will be given in JUnit5 in IntelliJ IDEA.

Presenters

Christine Peterson

Computer Science Teacher, Frisco ISD

I have taught computer science courses for 14 years from beginning programming skills to advanced topics, like data structures, game programming, and app development. I have experience teaching in Java, C#, and Swift. I think the best way to learn programming is focused practice with... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 9:45am - 10:45am CDT
Frio

Advanced Computer Science, High School

12:45pm CDT

Teaching CS and Math Concepts through Creative Calculations of Pi

Monday June 9, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

Frio

Both introductory and advanced CS classes can learn a great deal from grappling with the simple challenge of calculating the circumference of a circle from its diameter. In this session we describe three different ways to calculate pi and how they employ different CS and math concepts. At an introductory level, Pi can be calculated in a very visual way using a “Monte Carlo” method. At an advanced level, we demonstrate how Pi can be calculated using multiple CPU cores on a single chromebook or any other web-capable device. These free activities were developed by the STEMcoding project (http://youtube.com/STEMcoding).

Presenters

Chris Orban

Associate Professor, Ohio State University / STEMcoding project

http://instagram.com/stemcoding

Celestina A. Pangan

Coordinator / Teacher, Houston Independent School District

Julie Butler

Assistant professor, University of Mount Union

Monday June 9, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
Frio

Advanced Computer Science, High School

2:00pm CDT

Incorporating Python Through Google Colab into Physics/Kinematics

Monday June 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Sabine

Google Colab can be used to introduce students in non-CS courses to the applications of programming in a conveniently structures environment.

This session will demonstrate how a teacher can use the Text and Program boxes to break up the programming tasks into small/manageable sub-tasks.
Students learn the basics of computer programming and the use of its application to science without needing to first learn Algorithmic Thinking.

It's a great way to get them a taste of programming to spark a greater interest.

Monday June 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Sabine

Advanced Computer Science, K-12

10:00am CDT

Bringing Advanced Astronomy to High School Students with a Google Colab Computational Essay

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

Frio

This project offers a computational essay in Google Colab, showcasing how computer science enhances astronomy education. Students analyze light sources from a database, generate research-quality plots, and edit code while exploring how astronomers detect young stellar objects (YSOs). By integrating coding with physics, the project highlights the value of interdisciplinary learning, where coding deepens scientific understanding and astronomy provides real-world applications for computer science. Simplifying advanced concepts for citizen science, this hands-on approach engages students with real data and methods, fostering skills in both computational techniques and scientific inquiry.

Presenters

Jimmy Newland

CS Education Specilaist, TACC

https://bsky.app/profile/jimmynewland.bsky.social

April Andreas

McLennan Community College

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilandreas/

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

Advanced Computer Science, High School

10:00am CDT

Create a Successful UIL Computer Science Program

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

Trinity A

Learn how to create and maintain a successful UIL Computer Science program. Includes: how the contest works, where to get materials, how to recruit, how to run an after school practice, where to find additional competitions other than district, the UIL Java Topic List, etc.

Presenters

Delta McFarland

Teacher, Needville ISD

Delta McFarland is a Computer Science teacher at Needville High School. She has taught for 42 years and plans to keep on teaching. Her passion is exposing students to the world of Computer Science and to help with that exposure she has created a four year Computer Science pathway... Read More →

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

Advanced Computer Science, High School

11:15am CDT

Intro to Quantum Information Science: What's a Qubit?

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

Frio

This session will introduce participants to the basic concepts of quantum information science and quantum computing, with guidance and resources to introduce these concepts to students without prior knowledge of quantum phenomena. The material will be especially suitable to high school juniors and seniors or beginning undergraduates.

Presenters

Brian La Cour

Intro to Quantum Information Science: What's a Qubit?, The University of Texas at Austin

Brian R. La Cour received his B.S. degree in physics and his M.S. degree in physics and mathematics from the University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA, in 1991 and 1995, respectively, and his Ph.D. degree in physics from The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA, in... Read More →

Derrick Tucker

Course Coordinator for Quantum Technologies, The University of Texas at Austin

Derrick Tucker received his B.S. in Physics from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 2004 and pursued graduate study in Physics at the University of Texas at Austin. Derrick taught science and mathematics from 2011-2021, the last 6 years of which were at Akins High School... Read More →

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

Advanced Computer Science, High School

1:30pm CDT

Impacting Student Attitudes About CS Through Coding Integration into Science

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

Frio

In this session, participants will learn how integrating CS pedagogy into science and math classes can positively impact student attitudes about CS. When students experience lessons in science and math classes that use CS, they feel more confident about CS and are more likely to pursue academic pathways that include CS. Participants will see examples of specific lessons that can be used in science and math courses to improve student attitudes about the use of CS in non-CS STEM courses.

Presenters

Jimmy Newland

CS Education Specilaist, TACC

https://bsky.app/profile/jimmynewland.bsky.social

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

Advanced Computer Science, High School