Computer Science Tools & Resources

It's one thing to advocate for computer science in schools -- it's another to find ways to organically integrate it into our curricula.

Rather than thinking of computer science and computational thinking as a stand-alone course, experts recommend embracing these skills as a literacy that can be incorporated in other subject areas. 

Former educator Gina Sipley explained this mindset in a 2016 Fast Company article. “There’s a shared responsibility for writing and reading across the curriculum, and I think, ideally, that’s where we’ll move computer programming. It can be integrated into math class and social studies class and foreign language class and music class.” 

Regardless of the subject you teach, there are ways you can make computer science part of your lessons and assignments. Following are a few resources and approaches to get you started!

Code.org online, self-paced courses for teachers: Educate yourself so that you can better educate your students. Consider signing up for a free course to learn the fundamentals of computer science.

Tynker school courses: Tynker is a kid's coding platform that teaches children how to code games, apps, drones, robots and more. But the learning doesn't stop there -- Tynker offers courses that can be used in a variety of different subject areas.

Code.org Hour of Code activities: Search for coding activities appropriate in any subject area at any grade level. You don't have to wait for the Hour of Code -- find a lesson that you could teach today!

CSUnplugged: Find interdisciplinary computer science lesson plans that don't require access to a computer. These activities incorporate physical activity and everyday items like string and cards to teach students CS skills without a screen.

ITSE Computational Thinking Teacher Resources: This ITSE guide gives an in-depth look at how computational thinking is an important problem-solving skill relevant across all disciplines.