Use NGSS-aligned K-8 science coursework as the starting point for district CT integration¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

ICCSD leveraged its recently NGSS-aligned K-8 science courses, which entail computational models of natural phenomena, as the entry point for integrating CT across the district. The district's reflection states that science and NGSS represented a starting point for K-8 curricular integration, and it is now working to expand to math, English language arts, and social studies.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Science courses already aligned to NGSS with computational modeling of natural phenomena
• Substantial effort for developing modeling activities and assessing them via rubrics and checklists

Constraints¶

• Developing modeling activities was a substantial lift and assessing them took time; PLTW coursework prioritizes coding more than integrative CT

Target Learners¶

• K-8 students

Target Learning Goals¶

• Computational thinking through computational models of natural phenomena in science

Related Strategies¶

• Appoint a district-level CS/CT leadership position to center and prioritize computing as a curricular offering
• Leverage school-based librarians to create and deliver K-6 CS/CT lessons when classroom integration slows

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Digital Promise. (2021). The “Science” of Computing: Inclusive Computing Pathways in Iowa City Community School District. Digital Promise. https://doi.org/10.51388/20.500.12265/133