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2024 North Carolina Computer Science Professional Development

North Carolina’s Computer Science Teaching Professional Learning Program (NC-CS-PLP) aims to help students learn computer science concepts and gain skills to actively engage as informed participants in a technology-driven world. NCDPI and the North Carolina State Board of Education have added computer science to the North Carolina graduation requirements and created the first K-12 computer science standards for North Carolina. 

Support from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has given the Friday Institute the ability to expand its professional learning programs to offer Code.org’s professional learning series to North Carolina educators. You don’t have to be a software developer to teach computer science! This year-long Professional Learning Program is designed to support you throughout the academic year as you teach, engage, and empower your students to explore computer science.

  • Learn in a safe and fun environment
  • No prior CS experience necessary for CS Principles and CS Discoveries training
  • Breakfast, lunch and lodging provided* (lodging dependent on distance)
  • Help your students take the lead in their education

These trainings are intensive, highly supportive programs designed to prepare educators who have not necessarily taught or studied computer science previously. Educators across the state can now register to attend trainings at the site nearest them to complete the computer science professional development that best suits their instructional needs.

Computer Science PD Programs

These programs support educators with diverse teaching backgrounds as they prepare to teach any of the following courses or plan to integrate CS practices into their existing curriculum and instruction:

Computer Science Discoveries (CSD)

Targeted specifically for teachers of students in grades 6-10, this training takes a wide lens on CS and prepares educators to teach this intro course. Topics covered focus on problem-solving, programming, and user-centered design while inspiring students to build their own digital content. CSD can be taught as a single semester or multi-semester course, over a full school year, or integrated with other content units.

Computer Science Principles (CSP)

Thinking of launching a CS class in your school? CSP covers a wide variety of computer science principles, creating the condition of CS concepts and how computing and technology can impact the world. Training provides accessible and equitable content for educators to share with high school students as either an introductory CS course or as a College Board AP course.

Computer Science A (CSA)

Computer Science A (or AP CSA) is the first AP course that was developed for high school students to learn computer science. Focused on learning and applying the Java programming language, AP CSA introduces students to software engineering and object-oriented design. Students should have taken an introductory CS course prior to AP CSA. Prerequisite CS training required.

Registration Information

For ease of access and to bring professional development directly to educators, professional development training locations have been spread across the state of North Carolina.

To register for your workshop, review the training sites below and then go to the Code.org regional partner search.

  1. Type in your school zip code
  2. Review the workshop options available to you for the specific CS training you are interested in (note the date and location)
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see where to start your application

Registration is OPEN until June 14, 2024

Applying is easy and only takes about 10 minutes! Once your application is complete, you can expect to hear from the Friday Institute with your acceptance decision within 2-3 weeks. If you are accepted into the Professional Learning program, you are encouraged to register within two weeks to secure your spot.

*Note:* This application review process requires your administrator/school leader to approve your application via email.

Professional Development Locations

Friday Institute for Educational Innovation, Centennial Campus
1890 Main Campus Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606

  • June 24-28, 2024
    • Computer Science Discoveries (Grades 6-10)
    • Computer Science Principles (Grades 9-12)
  • July 15-19, 2024
    • Computer Science Discoveries (Grades 6-10)
    • Computer Science Principles (Grades 9-12)
    • Computer Science A
  • August 5-9, 2024
    • Computer Science Discoveries (Grades 6-10)
    • Computer Science Principles (Grades 9-12)

Eastern NC Regional Skills Center
261 NW Corridor Blvd
Jacksonville, NC 28540

  • June 17-21, 2024
  • Computer Science Discoveries (Grades 6-10)
  • Computer Science Principles (Grades 9-12)

Fayetteville Technical Community College, General Classroom Building 2817 Fort Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville, NC 28303

  • July 8-12, 2024
    • Computer Science Discoveries (Grades 6-10)
    • Computer Science Principles (Grades 9-12)

Western Piedmont Community College, 1001 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton, NC 28655

  • July 29-August 2, 2024
    • Computer Science Discoveries (Grades 6-10)
    • Computer Science Principles (Grades 9-12)

How much will this cost?

Thanks to generous sponsorship from DPI, this training is being provided at no cost to you or your school! The Code.org curriculum, online student learning platform and access to support from the teacher and Code.org community are also available to all schools year-round–free of charge. Participants are encouraged to attend training locations closest to their region. Participants and their schools/districts are responsible for mileage and hotel accommodations.

Private school educators are also welcome to apply. Please email us at code@fi.ncsu.edu to discuss pricing.

Stipends

Educators will be provided with a $600 stipend for their participation. Teachers will receive $200 for completing the five-day summer workshop, and the last $400 for completing three out of four quarterly workshops.

Interested in K-5? Elementary Computer Science Professional Learning Program

Workshops in Code.org’s Computer Science Fundamentals K-5 curriculum are offered throughout the school year and summer. Click here to see upcoming dates or contact us directly for more information.

The Friday Institute is also offering opportunities for select school leaders and a partner classroom educator to participate in specialized CS K-5 training. Stay tuned for more information.

Questions? 

Contact the CS Professional Learning Team and Russell Strand-Poole at code@fi.ncsu.edu.

Contact Us

Contact the CS Professional Learning Team

code@fi.ncsu.edu

Partners

Code.org logo: a square with four black squares inside of it with the letters "c", "o", "d" and "e".
Logo for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction