Rock CS 2022 | Rocky Mountain Computer Science Conference for P-12 Educators

This session is to incorporate hands-on, project-based learning to master python programming and AI fundamentals activities. During this session attendees will use text-based python programming to operate a vehicle. In addition, attendees will have access to a platform to learn class lessons of artificial intelligence arranged by grade level.
Attendees will learn step-by-step how to program in python and see how their vehicle (virtually and physically) executes their program.

CSTA identifies Perception, Representation and Reasoning as core components in an AI learning progression for K-12 students. This session focuses on how to engage your students with these concepts through a hands-on learning experience where they program and wire a physical computing system to collect and analyze data collected by a BBC micro:Bit and Sparkfun’s gator:bit sensor system.

The session is designed to engage teachers of all experience levels with the micro:bit system; novices will receive scaffolds for supporting their entry while experienced users will have ample opportunities for extensions and applications. After working with fellow teachers on guided activities on wiring and programming a physical computing system, participants will reflect on pedagogical applications and discuss curricular integration strategies. The tools used in the workshop are appropriate for middle school and high school students, with alligator clip connectors for wiring and block-based, Javascript, or Python programming in MakeCode.

Enhance Student Learning
During the workshop, teachers develop skills for collecting sensor data with the BBC micro:bit, enabling instructors to enrich existing curriculum with data collection and exploration. In addition to building skills relating to the physical computing system, teachers will reflect on how they can scaffold the lessons to engage students with computational thinking, debugging, and connecting data collection to the Big Ideas in Artificial Intelligence (Perception, Representation & Reasoning).

Ever seen a car drive around without passengers or accidentally set off the Alexa in your home? What about the advertisements on your Instagram knowing that you’re in market for a new pair of pants or Netflix recommending a movie you’ve been hearing about? These are all examples of artificial intelligence, or computers becoming as “smart” as humans. This technology has already shaped our digital world in more ways than we can process and with it comes both promise and peril.

In this interactive workshop, we will begin by taking a look at all the ways that AI influences the way we navigate the world, peek under the hood to see how machine learning works, and offer insight into how young learners play a key role in creating ethical and responsible technology. Designed for thinkers and doers of all ages, come and learn about how you can, in just 10 minutes, empower yourself with code to become part of a global conversation.