Computer Science

#BrowardCODES

BCPS is a National Model for Computer Science

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) has been a White House national model for expanding access to computer science in schools. Through the District’s #BrowardCodes initiative, more than 50,000 students are positively impacted by computer science offerings at 100 percent of BCPS K-12 schools. BCPS is leading the nation's schools in expanding computer science and participating in three National Science Foundation (NSF) awards CSforAll projects to further expand access to students with disabilities and minorities.

Powered by AI/Computer Science Ed Week
Computer Science Initiatives

Powered by AI/Computer Science Ed Week

Every student deserves the opportunity to learn Computer Science. Computer Science education emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, communication, computational thinking, problem-solving, and perseverance. It promotes equity, growth, and sustainability. CS is foundational and fundamental education in the 21st century.

Every December, we celebrate Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek), an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. However, at BCPS, we celebrate CS Ed Week the entire month of December!

This year it is the Hour of AI - Broward Is Powered by AI

STEM+CS Calendar of events with daily computer science activities for students
STEM+CS Calendar of Events
Hour of AI activities from CS for All
Hour of AI Activities
Schedule of events and activities from CSTA
CSTA Events and Activities

This is a perfect month to start coding with your students - Rocket League, App Challenges, Esports, Minecraft Family Code Night!

Computer Science Initiatives

BCPS is proud to offer these computer science initiatives. #BrowardCODES initiative continues to broaden participation by hosting clubs, computer science fairs, and app challenges/codefests, in partnership with events and initiatives within BCPS that are not typically related to computer science.

Computational Thinking Pathways

CSforAll

CS Inclusion

CS in Elementary Schools

Computer Science Certification

Hour of Code/CS Ed Week

Minecraft Education

Spatial Learning Pathways

In 2013, BCPS became the first school district in the nation to partner with CodeAI (previouly Code.org) to increase access to computer science courses, curriculum, and resources in schools. Since then, most BCPS middle schools offer a high school level computer science course, and all high schools offer computer science courses including college-level Advanced Placement classes.

View the CodeAI partnership video from 2013
CodeAI

STEM + Computer Science

BASE Broward Area STEM Ecosystem

The Broward Area STEM Ecosystem (BASE) is a regional collaboration of STEM stakeholders in the South Florida community aligned with three primary common goals:

Engage and interest youth with hands-on STEM through authentic experiences and competitions;
Ensure foundational skills in collaboration, communication, critical thinking, computational thinking, problem-solving and perseverance;
Prepare students to be life-ready for future studies and as STEM-related.

Computer Science

Minecraft Education

Broward Schools is utilizing the Minecraft Education platform to engage students in problem and project based learning.
Minecraft challenges involve collaboration with other children and teammates, addressing our goal of classroom equity and increasing the number of young women engaging in STEM through a positive online gaming environment.
Minecraft education allows for addressing real world issues through student passions while addressing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.

Spatial Learning Pathway

Spatial reasoning is the ability to think and manipulate objects in 3-dimensions, often starting with a 2-dimensional representation of the object. Whether it is redesigning your their own workspace, visiting interstellar worlds, or simulating a biological system, these skills empower students to navigate, manipulate, create, and build with, around, and in physical and virtual space. Students, through intentional research-based instruction and practice with spatial reasoning, gain self-efficacy in STEM. Research has demonstrated that these skills have broad reach in equitably retaining students in STEM coursework, leading to success and increased diversity in STEM careers.

Time4CS for ALL

Computer Science Links

CS Education Week is a Whole Month (Hour of Code) - EVENTS and ACTIVITIES

The Annual Computer Science Education Week Is in December. CS Education Week at BCPS is celebrated the Whole Month of December

This year it is the Hour of AI - Broward Is Powered by AI

STEM+CS Calendar of events with daily computer science activities for students

STEM+CS Calendar of Events

Hour of AI activities from CS for All
Hour of AI Activities

Schedule of events and activities from CSTA
CSTA Events and Activities

This is a perfect month to start coding with your students - Rocket League, App Challenges, Esports, Minecraft Family Code Night!

Volunteer in our schools during the Hour of Code! Register here:
Volunteer

#BrowardCODES Resources

Get Involved in #BrowardCODES

Through its #BrowardCODES initiative, BCPS has expanded its connections between K-12 and computer science career pathways in South Florida in partnership with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, South Florida Regional TechGateway, and other local businesses.

Every year, BCPS invites industry professionals to get involved with #BrowardCODES and join the excitement of Computer Science Education week by volunteering during CS Education Week in December. Contact Dr. Lisa Milenkovic at browardstem for further information.

Why Computer Science Is Important

Computer science is also a top paying college degree and computer programming jobs are growing at the national average. Basic computer science skills can be applied and utilized in a variety of different careers.

Today’s students are surrounded by technology in their everyday lives, yet few are learning how computers actually work. Computer science transforms students from simply users of technology to creators of technology.

Creating Computer Science Connections through STEM+C Grant

BCPS is honored to be the recipient of a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a model for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and computer science in elementary schools.
The project creates hands-on learning applications for students through a “STEM plus computing curriculum,” allowing students to build models and prototypes to improve problem-solving skills and develop their critical thinking abilities. The District will also work with teachers to develop STEM problem-based learning and teacher professional development materials, to address challenging new areas for young learners.
The pilot project included 14 schools in the 2016/17 school year. The results will be used to develop a national model for integrating computer science in the classroom.
For more information, go to Time for CS. This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1542842. Time for CS.

TechGateway Initiative - Connecting Students with Career Opportunities

The technology sector is big business in South Florida. BCPS and the county’s economic development organization, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance (Alliance), are teaming up to create an even brighter future for this industry and local students.
The Alliance, together with its counterpart economic development organizations in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, are showcasing technology companies throughout South Florida through a TechGateway initiative. This initiative includes a website,TechGateway.org, which highlights more than 2,000 local technology companies, as well as a map showcasing the location of these technology companies across our region. Through a partnership with BCPS, poster-sized versions of the map are displayed at all of the District’s middle and high schools. BCPS Career, Technical, Adult & Community Education facilitators are also working to raise awareness at schools about the TechGateway initiative, posters and associated classroom activities.

Visit TechGateway

Map of South Florida showing different technology companies from TechGateway

BCPS Computer Science News

Cypress Bay High School's FBI-Cyber/STEM program. FBI agents are investing in the future of cybersecurity and they are harvesting talent in partnership with BCPS with a pilot that engages students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. To read the full article, go to https://www.local10.com/tech/fbi-agents-teach-innovative-cyber-program-at-cypress-bay-high-school
BCPSSpotlightedbytheWhiteHouseforCommitmenttoComputerScienceforAllStudents.pdf September 14, 2016
BCPSCommitmenttoIncreasingComputerScienceinSchools.pdf - January 30, 2016

Contact Information

Lisa Milenkovic

Supervisor, STEM + Computer Science, Ai + Digital Learning