2022 InfyMakers Awards
Link to Blog Posts About InfyMakers Impact
Infosys Pathfinders Summer PD
Link to Infosys Pathfinders Summer PD Blog Posts
CrossRoads 2023
Link to Blog Posts About CrossRoads 2023
Thank you Infosys Foundation!
iCreate iLearn |
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2022 InfyMakers AwardsWhile reading my twitter feed during the spring of 2022, I found information about the InfyMakers grant and decided that it was worth a shot to apply. I never realized that this would be the start of a much bigger journey with Infosys, making, and computer science for both me and my students. Link to Blog Posts About InfyMakers ImpactInfosys Pathfinders Summer PDDuring the summer of 2022, I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in 4 different virtual professional development opportunities with Pathfinders. I started with Chibitronics, Micro:Bit, Hummingbird, and Makey Makey Scrappy Circuits. I spent the summer learning about different ways to incorporate circuits, making, and coding to create learning opportunities for my students. It was for me one of the most transformative summers of my career. I loved learning in the morning and making in the afternoon while connecting with educators around the country. Link to Infosys Pathfinders Summer PD Blog PostsCrossRoads 2023Link to Blog Posts About CrossRoads 2023I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have been provided to get both training and resources for myself and my designers.
Thank you Infosys Foundation!
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So it has been about two weeks since CrossRoads as I write this post about the last day and the impact that CrossRoads has had on both my teaching and connections with the larger Computer Science and Making communities.
Sometimes we forget that what works in one place is driven by the relationships and trust that was put into place not just a curriculum or idea.I kept hearing in my head Hamilton's "In the Room Where it Happened" song as I spent the day connecting and learning. Sometimes I would step into the conversation and share about my experience in the classroom and I always felt that it was a welcome part of the larger conversations. At times I had to remind myself that I was in a room of people who are passionate about the same thing and that we need to be cautious about making assumptions both in regards to something someone is saying and also in what we perceive to be happening in our schools. I have spent my entire career in the public education system so I recognize how difficult systems change is and continues to be. It was one of the fundamental reasons why I went back into the classroom because for me change happens in my day to day interactions and learning. I would love to be part of larger scale changes but I needed to start somewhere where I could test my ideas and see what might or might not work. My ultimate goal with CrossRoads was to build relationships with different people and organizations that would continue to build opportunities for my students and community. On Day 3, my focus was to lay the groundwork for future collaborations.
Two Weeks After CrossRoads
Right after the Keynote, our Breakout Session kicked off the different choices for everyone. Kate M. had connected our team prior to the conference and I immediately felt blessed to be with these three individuals on the panel. Kareem did a fantastic job of asking questions and having participants break out into groups. For me it was a powerful session to be seated on the same panel with these three as well as being able to share my own journey in making and computer science. After our panel, Matt thanked me for giving CodeJoy a shout out and shared that I should reach out any time. Colleen Graves became part of our conversation and I felt like I was in a room full of friends. Colleen invited me to go on a hike with her or maybe I tried to invite myself. But for me, this opportunity was not just about computer science and making, it was about building real relationships with people around our country. After presenting at our panel, I was able to sit in the Sparking Interest breakout before I was scheduled to do a video recording about the American Dream with the Milken Foundation.
I wanted to thank Tom from BirdBrain for sharing Hummingbird and having CodeJoy facilitate such important PD for me and my students. We had just started using the Hummingbirds so this was an area that I really wanted to consider for part of the C3 Grant collaboration. To be in the same room as Jie Qi, the designer of Chibitronics and thank her for what she designed blending circuits and code with arts and crafts meant so much to me. Each one of these individuals and their creations have impacted my own personal journey in making, coding, and teaching.
CrossRoads 2023 and Hope (Fall 2022)
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CrossRoads started the moment I stepped out of the airport and into the hotel shuttle. I was already surrounded by amazing people from all over the country. I quickly realized that these potentially "awkward" moments were part of the magic of connecting at CrossRoads. It isn't often that I can tell you who I was seated by during a shuttle ride but I stepped into the shuttle with Gabby, her mom, her grandma, Kiki, and who I will refer to as Mr. CodeCrew (Meka). | |
| I was able to check in and explore. You don't need to ask me twice to go hike in the sun. Directly behind our hotel is a Butte. This Wisconsin girl has never been to the desert before so I was in awe of both the flora and fauna. I might even have stalked a roadrunner. That bird is a lot smaller than in my cartoons! |
CrossRoads officially started on Tuesday evening with a reception and keynote at the ASU Makerspace. Prior to leaving the hotel, I met Emily and Kristin who are educators in Tennessee. Emily I followed on twitter and wanted to connect because she is a Glowforge Ambassador. I look forward to visiting their 36 Makerspaces in Hamilton County and attending a future Fab Institute. | |
What I didn't expect was the connections I made on the bus to and from the event. Let me introduce you to Max. Max has mad skills as a conversationalist. He made a long bus ride into one of the most interesting conversations I have had with a complete stranger in a long time. Between sharing what we do today, we found that we both love Little Bits (he used to work for them) and are fascinated by creation. He works with two different companies who are approaching CS in very innovative ways. When the bus ride just kept going, we found out that we both have an interest in Brazil and Florianopolis. I think Max might know more about me than most of the people I work with. I am a serious introvert so to say that Max has mad conversation skills, I'm not joking. We watched videos of what Infento is doing with electric motors, talked about visiting Florianopolis, talked about Little Bits, and in the process became friends. |
| The Keynote was Greg Behr who shared excerpts from his book. I had listened to half of the audiobook and loved hearing him share some of my favorite parts. |
While waiting in line to possibly snag an autographed copy of Greg's book, I just happened to be standing by another published author. Jason McKenna graciously shared about his journey to publish his new book and even offered to give me a copy the following day (which he actually found me and gave me a copy) which I immediately started reading. I was just so stunned at how approachable and humble Jason is. We talked about Vex Robotics and his publishing journey. I look forward to sharing more about his book. | |
The night would not be complete without my other bus ride partner. Who knew that I would sit next to John Pearce of CS is Elementary? We had such a fascinating conversation around K-5 Computer Science and Family Coding Night. I shared about how my middle school students are starting to mentor our neighboring elementary school students and the power of this mentoring for both groups. John made me feel like I was the most amazing educator and his passion for CS is evident in everything he says and does. He shared about the upcoming CS is Elementary Summit. We talked every day when we connected about different ideas. I look forward to being part of CS is Elementary and working for our state to have more opportunities for our younger learners. So this was Day 1... it just was the appetizer to the next few days of connection, learning, and collaboration. |
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YEJJ