First Annual Computer Science Education Summit: July 27

You are invited to attend the first ever Computer Science Education Summit from 1-5 p.m. July 27, sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Education and the Center for Cyber Education at Mississippi State University.

The virtual event will feature keynote addresses from Gov. Tate Reeves, Lt. Gov Delbert Hosemann, Dr. Carey Wright, the state superintendent of education, and Hu Meena, Chairman and CEO of C Spire. This first summit will focus on the Mississippi Computer Science and Cyber Education Equality Act (https://legiscan.com/MS/text/HB633/2021), which requires all schools to offer computer science courses by the 2024-2025 academic year. State Sen. Scott DeLano, who helped sponsor the bill, and representatives from C Spire and other Mississippi industries will join as special guests at the event.

The summit will offer school district administrators, counselors and teachers an opportunity to learn more about the requirements of the legislation and how computer science can be incorporated into their master schedules in the proper time frame to allow them to follow the law and meet all graduation requirements for students. Additionally, summit participants will experience some of the engaging hands-on activities included in computer science education.

Agenda

  • 1 p.m. — Opening addresses from Gov. Reeves, Lt. Gov. Hosemann, Dr. Wrightand Hu Meena
  • 1:15 p.m. — Special guest panel with State Sen. DeLano and industry partners
  • 1:45 p.m. — Legislation overview and walkthrough
  • 2:15 p.m. — Breakout sessions

o    How does this impact district level decisions (graduation requirements, technology needs, curricula options, etc.)?

o    How can my school implement computer science at the elementary school level?

o    What courses are available for middle school?

o    What are the options for high school computer science?

  • 3 p.m. — Break
  • 3:15 p.m. — Breakout sessions (30-minute rotations)

o    Virtual reality demonstrations

o    Creating animations

o    Learning math through computing

o    Building a mobile app

  • 4:45 p.m. — Closing remarks

All educators — from superintendents and principals to counselors, teachers, technology directors, curriculum coordinators, librarians and so forth — are invited to attend.

To register for the summit, visit https://rcu.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=27960.  After you register and closer to the date of the summit, you will receive an email with instructions on how to join the virtual event.

Please share this link and information with your fellow educators.