Ready to skip right to registration? Scroll down to the bottom of this post for directions on how to create a free Pathfinders account and secure your spot today.
We’re thrilled to announce that two of our most popular professional development courses will be offered again this fall to educators across the United States, thanks to the support of the Infosys Foundation. Here are the details, from the Infosys Foundation USA Blog:
“As the back-to-school season approaches, educators are gearing up for another year of inspiring young minds and creating future pathways in computer science. To kickstart this year’s academic journey on a high note, we’re thrilled to announce that, back by popular demand, we are re-introducing free kits or licenses to a few of the most popular courses on the Pathfinders Online Institute, together with synchronous mini PDs to accompany the on-demand courses.
US public and Charter School educators who complete the synchronous PD will receive complimentary kits or licenses and become part of the growing Pathfinders Educators community, where they can connect with like-minded CS educators to help inspire new ideas for the classroom.”
The unique supported asynchronous structure of these courses allows educators to work at their own convenience around their busy schedules, while also building their professional learning networks. Plus, easy access to tech support! We can’t wait to explore creative robotics with you again this fall. Learn more about the carefully curated courses below and sign up for your cohort. Seats limited, so act fast!
Cultural Connections with Hummingbird
Calling all 4th to 12th grade teachers! Please join us for a free course exploring making, robotics, and coding using the Hummingbird Bit Premium Robotics Kit. Create a personally meaningful robot while developing the skills to engage students in culturally responsive making and computer science. You’ll learn both the nuts and bolts of robotics and coding through hands-on experiences and how to integrate robotics into any subject or grade level. Along the way, you’ll learn equitable pedagogical strategies for helping all students see that they belong in computer science.
If you are a US Public or Charter School educator, join us for the kickoff to this course and receive a free Hummingbird Robotics Premium Kit! We are offering two opportunities for you to join, with kickoffs on October 14th and December 9th. After the kickoff, you’ll have dedicated support from our teaching team for six weeks as you and your cohort work through the lessons and build a robot. Opportunities to join are limited to 50 teachers per cohort, so sign up today by completing the following form:
Schedule:
Cohort 1:
Synchronous Kickoff Meeting: October 14th, 2023 from 11-2 Eastern
All other weeks are asynchronous:
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- Week 1 (10/16):
- Live Course Kickoff
- Set up your Flip for video updates
- Weeks 2 (10/23):
- Lesson 3: Building your First Robot
- Week 3 (10/30):
- Lesson 4: Brainstorming Design Ideas
- Week 4 (11/6):
- Lesson 5: Planning – Construction Materials, Lights, Motion, and Sensing
- Week 5 (11/13):
- Lesson 6: Putting it All Together
- Lesson 7: Iteration
- Week 6 (11/20):
- Complete project and share video via Flip!
- After sharing the video of your completed project*, you will receive an email with the information necessary to complete the assessment and receive your certificate
- Week 1 (10/16):
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*The due date for the video of your completed project is 12/4. You must share a video of your completed project by 11:59 on 12/4 to receive your certificate.
Optional Office Hours:
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- First Office Hour: November 1, 11-noon Eastern
- Second Office Hour: November 15th, 11-noon Eastern
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Cohort 2:
Synchronous Kickoff Meeting: December 9th, 2023 from 11-2 Eastern
All other weeks are asynchronous:
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- Week 1 (12/11):
- Live Course Kickoff
- Set up your Flip for video updates
- Weeks 2 (12/18):
- Lesson 3: Building your First Robot
- Week 3 (1/1):
- Lesson 4: Brainstorming Design Ideas
- Week 4 (1/8):
- Lesson 5: Planning – Construction Materials, Lights, Motion, and Sensing
- Week 5 (1/15):
- Lesson 6: Putting it All Together
- Lesson 7: Iteration
- Week 6 (1/22):
- Complete project and share video via Flip!
- After sharing the video of your completed project*, you will receive an email with the information necessary to complete the assessment and receive your certificate
- Week 1 (12/11):
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*The due date for the video of your completed project is 2/5. You must share a video of your completed project by 11:59 on 2/5 to receive your certificate.
Optional Office Hours:
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- First Office Hour: January 3, 11-noon Eastern
- Second Office Hour: January 17th, 11-noon Eastern
Python with Finch Robot
Calling all middle and high school CS teachers! Please join us for a free course exploring Computational Thinking and Computer Science using the Python programming language and the Finch Robot 2.0. This PD experience is designed to provide a hands-on exploration of Python and robotics: You’ll use the Finch to learn about and practice a wide variety of computer science concepts, from algorithms to variables to loops to lists, and much more! We’ll also discuss strategies that use robotics as a tool for engaging students in learning computer science and computational thinking.
If you are a US Public or Charter School educator, join us for the kickoff to this course and We are offering two opportunities for you to join, with kickoffs on October 7th and December 2nd. After the kickoff, you’ll have dedicated support from our teaching team for six weeks as you and your cohort work through the lessons. Opportunities to join are limited to 50 teachers per cohort, so sign up today by completing the following form:
Schedule:
Cohort 1:
Synchronous Kickoff Meeting: October 7th, 2023 from 11-2 Eastern
All other weeks are asynchronous:
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- Week 1 Videos (10/9):
- Lessons 1-6
- Weeks 2 Videos (10/16):
- Lessons 7-10
- Week 3 Videos (10/23):
- Lessons 11-13
- Week 4 Videos (10/30):
- Lessons 14-16
- Week 5 Videos (11/6):
- Lessons 17-18
- Week 6 Videos (11/13):
- Lessons 19-21
- Week 1 Videos (10/9):
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Optional Office Hours:
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- First Office Hour: October 19th 11-noon Eastern
- Second Office Hour: November 2nd 11-noon Eastern
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Synchronous AI Meeting: November 18th, 2023 from 11-1 Eastern
Cohort 2:
Synchronous Kickoff Meeting: December 2nd, 2023 from 11-2 Eastern
All other weeks are asynchronous:
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- Week 1 Videos (12/4):
- Lessons 1-6
- Weeks 2 Videos (12/11):
- Lessons 7-10
- Week 3 Videos (12/18):
- Lessons 11-13
- Week 4 Videos (1/1):
- Lessons 14-16
- Week 5 Videos (1/8):
- Lessons 17-18
- Week 6 Videos (1/15):
- Lessons 19-21
- Week 1 Videos (12/4):
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Optional Office Hours:
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- First Office Hour: December 14th, 11-noon Eastern
- Second Office Hour: January 4th, 11-noon Eastern
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Synchronous AI Meeting: January 20th, 2024 from 11-1 Eastern
Ready to register?
To register for this course:
You must have a Pathfinders account to register for this course. Creating a Pathfinders account is free and easy. To register:
1. Create a Pathfinders account.
2. Once logged in, visit the page of the class you’d like to register for: Python with the Finch Robot or Cultural Connections with Hummingbird, and click REGISTER NOW.