Code.org is a nonprofit organization that provides curriculum for k-12 computer science across the United States. Over 1,000,000 teachers have signed up to teach Code.org intro courses and over 48,000,000 students have enrolled. Code.org has also been a very powerful supporter of creating computer science opportunities for all.
Hour of Code
"The Hour of Code is a global movement by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries through a one-hour introduction to computer science and computer programming."-Khan Academy
Each Hour of Code includes Instructional videos and “talk-throughs”, Coding challenges which give the student a chance to practice the concept and give teachers a way to automatically grade and award points, and a final project, a way for students to use what they’ve learned in a more creative, free-form way.
Students
Over 70 Million projects have been created on Code.org. Dance parties, games, apps, stories, drawings, and even Minecraft adventures can be created in less than an hour.
Try Code.org's Hour of Code Tutorial on creating your own version of Flappy Bird!
Teachers
Code.org Accelerated Intro to CS Course
If you are new to coding, we recommend taking Code.org's 20-hour accelerated course so that you're confident using Code.org. Any teacher who plans to use Scratch or another block-based coding platform in their class would benefit from this training. Click Here to take a look. (If you begin this course make sure to create an account to save your progress)
Code.org Professional Learning Workshops
- Elementary - CS Fundamentals Workshop
- Middle (6-10) - CS Discoveries Workshop
- High (9-12) - CS Principles Workshop
Contact us to find the next available event.
Code HS is a comprehensive teaching platform designed to help schools teach computer science through web-based curriculum, teacher tools, and support.
Students
If you would like to use CodeHS outside of the classroom, head over to CodeHS Practice. CodeHS Practice is a place for students to go through extra problems to gain a stronger understanding of basic programming skills. This new feature has hundreds of curated problems and exercises created by the CodeHS Team. Each practice problem is autograded and categorized by language, topic, and difficulty levels.
Visit CodeHS PracticeTeachers
Washington County School District has purchased a district-wide CodeHS site license for grades 6-12. Our version includes comprehensive student progress tracking tools, detailed lesson plans, a customizable gradebook with canvas sync, student access controls, assignment settings, assessments, student data, automatic grading, cheat detection, and more!
CodeHS Professional Development
Code HS offers online and in-person Professional Development courses designed for specific CS subjects. They work with hundreds of new computer science teachers empowering them with the skills, pedagogical knowledge, and confidence to go into the classrooom and start teaching. Contact us to find the next available event.
Teacher PD Course
Teaching Intro to Computer Science
| 30 Hours |
| 5 Units |
Teacher PD Webinar
Online "Teaching with CodeHS" Training Webinar
| 40 Hours |
| 8 Units |
Teacher In-Person PD Course
Two Day Face-to-Face CodeHS Training
| 15 Hours |
| 8 Units |
CodeHS Featured Curriculum
Here are some of the CodeHS courses our teachers are using in their classrooms:
Creative Coding
Creative Coding
Intro to Python 1 & 2
Computer Programming 1 & 2
Computer Science Principles
(Optional AP Class)
(Optional AP Class)
Computer Science Principles
(Optional AP Class)
(Optional AP Class)
AP Computer Science "A"
Web Development 1 & 2
Intro to IT
Intro to IT
Gaming Development 1
Gaming Development 1 & 2
"Sphero Edu is a STEAM-based toolset that weaves hardware, software, and community engagement to promote 21st century skills. While these skills are absolutely crucial, our edu program goes beyond code by nurturing students’ creativity and ingenuity like no other education program can."-Sphero
Sphero for all levels
Beginners can draw paths for their robot to follow, intermediate coders can drag and drop blocks, and pros can write text programs using JavaScript. Sphero Edu activities are STEAM-centric and designed to inspire your creativity. Navigate a maze. Program a painting. Mimic the solar system. Design a boat. Have a dance party…the only limit is your imagination.
Students
Sphero Robots may be availalbe in your school through after-school clubs or in your programming, math or science classes. Ask your counselor or programming teacher if your school has Sphero robots. If your school does not use Sphero, there may be after school or summer events nearby. Contact us if you are interested in learning with Sphero.
Teachers
WCSD is offering classroom sets of Sphero BOLT robots to any interested teacher that completes our Sphero Training Program. Contact us to find the next available training.
- Receive Sphero Training through one of the following:
- WCSD Sphero Training Workshop Event
- In-Person Training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- Completion of the Sphero Self-Guided Course
- Obtain a Sphero BOLT Power Pack Case for your school
- You will be responsible to store and manage the contents of this case in your school.
- We hope trained teachers will demonstrate, train and supervise other teachers in their school who are interested in integrating sphero into their classroom
- Document how you use Sphero in your school and share it with us!
- We want to make sure your Spheros aren't sitting in the storage closet
- WCSD Sphero Training Workshop Event
- In-Person Training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- Completion of the Sphero Self-Guided Course
- You will be responsible to store and manage the contents of this case in your school.
- We hope trained teachers will demonstrate, train and supervise other teachers in their school who are interested in integrating sphero into their classroom
- We want to make sure your Spheros aren't sitting in the storage closet
"With STEAM and robotics becoming increasingly critical elements of a modern education, it is important for students to develop a passion and foundation in these subjects at an early age. As an innovative leader, DJI is working to combine advanced technology and education, making STEAM more relevant and exciting to young people around the world." -DJI
RoboMaster S1
"The RoboMaster S1 is DJI's intelligent educational robot that lets users dive into the world of robotics, programming, and AI through exciting features and gameplay. The S1 supports omnidirectional movement, gel bead launching, and provides an immersive FPV driving experience."
TELLO Edu Drones
"Tello EDU is an impressive and programmable drone perfect for education. You can easily learn programming languages such as Scratch, Python, and Swift. Programming has never been this fun with Tello EDU!"
Students
These robots are intended for advanced high-school programming classes. Not all high schools currently have access to robots like the DJI RoboMaster. Ask your counselor or your schools programming teacher if they offer a robotics course. If your school does not have a Robotics club, there may be after school or summer events nearby. Contact us if you are interested in learning about Robotics.
Teachers
DJI RoboMaster Training:
Teachers exploring the use of sophisticated robots like the DJI RoboMaster or flying drones like the DJI Tello must follow district and FAA guidelines when operating them on school grounds or during a school event.
- RoboMaster Training:
- WCSD RoboMaster Training Workshop Event
- or in-person training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- Completion of the RoboMaster Video Courses
- Drone Flying (Not DJI-Specific):
- WCSD Tello EDU Training Workshop Event
- or in-person training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- Completion of the Tello EDU Video Courses
- Adhere to district guidelines regarding drone operation:
- Insert Guidelines Here
- Document how you use RoboMaster and/or TELLO Drones in your school and share it with us!
- We want to make sure these robots aren't sitting in the storage closet
- WCSD RoboMaster Training Workshop Event
- or in-person training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- Completion of the RoboMaster Video Courses
- WCSD Tello EDU Training Workshop Event
- or in-person training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- Completion of the Tello EDU Video Courses
- Adhere to district guidelines regarding drone operation:
- Insert Guidelines Here
- We want to make sure these robots aren't sitting in the storage closet
Contact us to find the next available training.
"VEX Robotics embraces this model of explorative STEM learning. We know what it's like to get excited about something cool. We know the magic a student experiences the moment they create something with technology. We want kids to learn how much fun it is to solve challenging problems. We're providing tools which are easy for beginners to master, but will expand with the imagination and experience of their users."-VEX Robotics
VEX IQ - Elementary & Intermediate School
"VEX IQ is a robotics platform designed to transform the STEM learning paradigm for young students and their teachers (grades 4-8). When students have the ability to jump right in and snap robots together using this intuitive tool-less system, it can unlock a curiosity and a passion that will stay with them for life.""
VEX V5 - Middle & High School
"VEX V5 is more than an integrated system of motors, wheels, metal, and sensors that can be used to build or program robots. It’s an established classroom companion for STEM learning in middle and high school. It’s a tool to help students understand crucial problem-solving concepts. It’s a catalyst to help students discover a passion that could continue to drive them through college, a career, or even the rest of their life."
"VEX V5 is more than an integrated system of motors, wheels, metal, and sensors that can be used to build or program robots. It’s an established classroom companion for STEM learning in middle and high school. It’s a tool to help students understand crucial problem-solving concepts. It’s a catalyst to help students discover a passion that could continue to drive them through college, a career, or even the rest of their life."
Students
VEX Robotics may be availalbe in your school through after-school clubs or in your programming or enginnering classes. Ask your counselor, programming or physics / engineering teacher if your school has VEX Robots. If your school does not use VEX, there may be after school or summer events nearby. Contact us if you are interested in learning with VEX.
Teachers
WCSD has several established VEX classes and after school clubs that can help you get started. Contact us to find the next available training.
- Receive VEX Training through one of the following:
- WCSD VEX Training Workshop Event
- In-Person Training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- In-Person Training by an established VEX teacher
- VEX equiptment can be expensive
- We will work with you to help provide VEX opportunities at your school.
- Document how you use VEX in your school and share it with us!
- We want to make sure your VEX Robots aren't sitting in the storage closet
- WCSD VEX Training Workshop Event
- In-Person Training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- In-Person Training by an established VEX teacher
- We will work with you to help provide VEX opportunities at your school.
- We want to make sure your VEX Robots aren't sitting in the storage closet
FIRST LEGO League is a global robotics competition built around theme-based Challenges to engage children in research, problem solving, coding, and engineering.
LEGO League Jr. Discovery Edition
Lego League Jr. Discovery Edition is an introductory STEM program for teams of children grades PreK-1. This pilot edition of the FIRST LEGO League Jr. program is offered in the classroom setting.
LEGO League Jr.
FIRST LEGO League Jr. is designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids ages 6 to 10. Guided by adult coaches and FIRST® Core Values, students build models using LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0 and create Show Me posters to present what they learned. The program focuses on building interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through a real-world challenge – to be solved by research, critical thinking, and imagination.
FIRST LEGO League Jr. is designed to introduce STEM concepts to kids ages 6 to 10. Guided by adult coaches and FIRST® Core Values, students build models using LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0 and create Show Me posters to present what they learned. The program focuses on building interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through a real-world challenge – to be solved by research, critical thinking, and imagination.
FIRST Lego League
FIRST® LEGO® League is the most accessible, guided, global robotics competition, helping students and teachers to build a better future together. The program is built around theme-based Challenges to engage children ages 9 to 16* in research, problem solving, coding, and engineering. The foundation of the program is the FIRST® Core Values, which emphasize teamwork, discovery, and innovation. Students emerge more confident, excited, and equipped with the skills they need in a changing workforce.
Students
LEGO Robots may be availalbe in your school through after-school clubs or in your programming classes. Ask your counselor or programming teacher if they use LEGO robots. If your school does not use LEGO there may be after school or summer events nearby. Contact us if you are interested in attending a LEGO programming event
Teachers
WCSD is planning to grow our local Lego League community by helping teachers integrate First Lego League into their classroom.
LEGO League Training:
- Receive Lego League training through one of the following:
- WCSD Lego League Training Workshop Event
- In-Person Training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- Obtain Lego EV3 Kits for your classroom
- You will be responsible to store and manage the Lego EV3 Kits in your school
- Contribute to our Lego League Curriculum
- Join our Canvas course to see our classroom lesson plans
- Share your own ideas and lesson plans to help grow our curriculum
- Document how you use Lego in your school and share it with us!
- We want to make sure these robots aren't sitting in the storage closet
Contact us to find the next available training.
- WCSD Lego League Training Workshop Event
- In-Person Training by a WCSD CS Teacher Lead
- You will be responsible to store and manage the Lego EV3 Kits in your school
- Join our Canvas course to see our classroom lesson plans
- Share your own ideas and lesson plans to help grow our curriculum
- We want to make sure these robots aren't sitting in the storage closet
Here are some of our local computer science events hosted during school or over the summer:
Southern Utah Code Camp
"Code Camp is a programming, design and entrepreneurship contest all rolled up into a ridiculously compressed 24-hour event. It’s crazy fun! Teams ranging in size from one to four participants compete against other teams to build the best web or mobile app."
Read MoreUTU Summer Crypto Camp
CryptoCamp is a camp for students from 9-11th grade who are interested in exploring cryptography through fun, hands-on activities. No coding or cryptography experience is required.
Read MoreUTU Girls Go Digital
GIRLS GO DIGITAL is a computer science and technology camp for girls ates 8-18. Any level of interest and experience is welcome.
Read MoreUTU Code Changers
