Breakout Sessions

 
Each breakout session will address the themes of Equity and Social-Emotional Learning.

All sessions are tentative and subject to change.

Session Titles and Descriptions

Participant Focus

SESSION 1

 

1A. Getting Started with RoboBlocky for Absolute Beginners to Teach Math/CS/STEAM with Robotics

New to C-STEM? Learn how C-STEM is bringing coding and robotics into classrooms and afterschool programs in ways that are engaging all students through hands-on activities and opportunities for personalized  learning. RoboBlocky is a web-based drag-and-drop development environment for programming virtual and hardware robots. It is designed to guide absolute beginners through an introduction to solving real-world problems with math, coding, robotics, and logic. Explore thousands of pre-built activities including CCSS-aligned math activities, coding and robotics activities, and detailed projects to bring classroom learning to life. RoboBlocky also prepares students to program in C/C++, the most widely used conventional text-based programming language in industry and college, and it can run in any modern web-browser without installing additional software. Attendees will experience a hands-on introduction to free block-based programming and robotics.

Attendees must bring their own personal computer. Windows and MacOSX users must pre-install Linkbot Labs software from https://barobo.com/download/. Chromebook users must pre-install the Linkbot IDE extension from https://barobo.com/download/. Requirements: Windows 10 or above, MacOSX 10.13 or above, Chromebook with Chrome OS v. 89 or above.

Linkbots will be provided by the C-STEM Center.

Facilitator:
Jeff Hescox, Education Service Manager, UC Davis C-STEM Center


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1B. Arduino: Introduction to Basic Electronics and Creative Problem Solving for Physical Computing

Join this hands-on session to get started using Arduino microcontrollers with RoboBlocky. This session will explore an introduction to Physical Computing with Arduino by combining the hands-on projects of physical computing with the simplicity of block-based programming. Discover the endless possibilities of physical computing and how to incorporate modern do-it-yourself electronics into your classroom teaching. Arduino can be integrated into Math, Computer Science, Engineering, and Robotics Courses, as well as afterschool programs and summer camps to facilitate a technologically advanced learning environment.

Attendees must bring their own personal computer. Windows and MacOSX users must pre-install Linkbot Labs software from https://barobo.com/download/. Chromebook users must pre-install the Arduino Controller extension from https://barobo.com/download/. Requirements: Windows 10 or above, MacOSX 10.13 or above, Chromebook with Chrome OS v. 89 or above.

Arduino Uno Starter Kit will be provided by the C-STEM Center.

Facilitator:
Dr. Larry Lagerstrom, Chief Academic Officer, Barobo, Inc.



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1C. Strategies for Integrating C-STEM K-12 Math-ICT Curriculum into K-12 Education

C-STEM  is a UC Approved Educational Preparation Program for Undergraduate Admission for both K-12 and Community College students to all UC campuses. The 20 A-G approved C-STEM courses at the UCOP website can readily be added in a high school’s A-G course list. The C-STEM Math-ICT Curriculum provides students with 13 years of experience learning math with coding and robotics. Integrating coding and robotics into math education facilitates an engaging, rigorous course that promotes critical thinking and creative problem solving. Many students who take C-STEM Math with Coding and Robotics courses have fun learning without associating the course with their struggles in a traditional math class. This unique hands-on approach provides students with the application-based learning they need to gain a thorough understanding of the materials. Join this session to learn how schools and school districts are implementing the program and closing the achievement gap.

Chairs:
Dr. Harry Cheng, Professor and C-STEM Center Director
Dr. Judy Fancher, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment, Haciendo La Puente Unified

Speakers:

Rupinder Jagpal, TOSA in charge of C-STEM implementation, Manteca USD

Greg Miller, C-STEM Resource Teacher, Orange USD



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SESSION 2

 

2A. Hands-on Experience for Engaging Students Learning Math with Coding and Robotics

The C-STEM CCSS-compliant Mathematics with Robotics curriculum employs hands-on computing and robotics activities to boost students’ interest and engagement in learning math (they learn while having fun!). Students make meaningful connections between abstract math concepts and real-life applications, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The curriculum allows for personalized learning and exploration as well as collaborative learning and teamwork. Join this session for a hands-on exploration of C-STEM Math with Robotics curriculum for Grades K-12, including 20 UCOP A-G Approved C-STEM courses.

Attendees must bring their own personal computer. Windows and MacOSX users must pre-install Linkbot Labs software from https://barobo.com/download/. Chromebook users must pre-install the Linkbot IDE extension from https://barobo.com/download/. Requirements: Windows 10 or above, MacOSX 10.13 or above, Chromebook with Chrome OS v. 89 or above.

Facilitator:
Jeff Hescox, Education Service Manager, UC Davis C-STEM Center


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2B. How to Integrate the C-STEM Program with Coding and Robotics into Elementary School Math Education

The C-STEM Mathematics with Robotics curriculum has had proven success in increasing student engagement and learning at the elementary level. Hear how a panel of Elementary School teachers have incorporated C-STEM curriculum in their Elementary Math classes, and how it maps to the big ideas in the upcoming new state math framework. C-STEM supports early learners in building confidence and understanding of abstract math concepts through applied hands-on robotics and programming activities. By incorporating coding and robotics into early education, students gain valuable exposure to modern technologies, develop logic-based problem solving skills, and apply creativity throughout their learning. In addition, the curriculum provides opportunities for integration with English Language Arts subjects, and text-to-speech and language translation features provide support for ELL students. The RoboPlay Challenge Competition is a theme-based level playing field robotics competition for K-12 students. It is designed for students to showcase their real-world math problem solving skills in a competitive environment. Join this session to learn more about how the C-STEM Program can transform math education at the elementary level.

Chairs:

Dr. Ramona Robinson Bishop, C0-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Elite Public Schools

Stephen Callahan, Coordinator, Educational Technology, STEM Programs, San Joaquin County Office of Education

 

Presenters:
Kristy Lindsey, C-STEM Program Manager, UC Davis

Ruth Thompson, 4th Grade Teacher, Redlands Unified School District

Sandra Soto, 5th Grade Teacher, Travis Unified School District



A

2C. C-STEM K-12 CS Curriculum, UCD/UCR CS Supplementary Teaching Credential Authorization Program, C-STEM Certification for Teaching Credential Programs at Universities for Pre-Service Teachers

UC Davis C-STEM has over a decade of experience in providing professional development for K-12 teachers, including those without any prior coding experience, on computer science (CS) and integrating CS into STEAM education. UC Riverside Extension has been a leader in offering CTC-approved  credential programs and educator professional development certificates. They have offered the Computer Science Supplementary Authorization Credential Program since 2018. In partnership with UC Riverside Extension, C-STEM Professional Development is now centered around the California Computer Science Supplementary Teaching Credential Authorization for educators across California. Join this session to learn about C-STEM K-12 CS curriculum, the sequence of courses being offered, how to earn the credential, and how school districts can assist teachers in doing so. Also learn from the panel how university Departments of Education can incorporate C-STEM coding and robotics into their teaching credential programs for pre-service teachers through the C-STEM Certification.

   

Chairs:
Dr. Fred Uy, Director of Department of Educator Preparation & Public School Programs, California State University Office of the Chancellor

Annette Webb, Associate Dean, Director of Education, Academic Affairs, UCR Extension

Presenters:

Marcey Winawer, Math and CS Teacher, Mountain View Los Altos Union High School District

Deepika Srivastava, STEAM & Innovation Coordinator, Redlands Unified School District

Joanne Chan,Coordinator, Educational Services, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

Jesus Esquibel, MSTI Director, Assistant Director, Citizen Scientist Project,CSU Bakersfield

 



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SESSION 3

 

3A. CS with Music, Art, Language Arts, Makerspaces: Full STEAM Ahead

The RoboBlocky Integrated Learning Environment offers even more than its innovative robotics-based math and CS curriculum. The curriculum provides opportunities for young students to enhance their reading skills, helping to meet the state goal of all students reading at an appropriate level by Grade 3. Students can learn language arts and express their creativity in music, art, and makerspace activities. This session shows how the C-STEM program integrates Art into STEAM education by giving students the opportunity to explore their artistic and creative talents using music and visual media. See how C-STEM’s curriculum and activity resources support the development of artistic talents through various channels including drawing, storytelling, playing and composing melodies, learning math with a piano, and image processing. Explore how quickly and easily reconfigurable and modular Linkbot systems can be assembled by easily snapping parts together to accomplish various tasks and solve challenges. With a robotics-based STEAM makerspace, students will discover new ways to solve problems by designing, building, and testing their own robotics systems.

Attendees must bring their own personal computer. Windows and MacOSX users must pre-install Linkbot Labs software from https://barobo.com/download/. Chromebook users must pre-install the Linkbot IDE extension from https://barobo.com/download/. Requirements: Windows 10 or above, MacOSX 10.13 or above, Chromebook with Chrome OS v. 89 or above.

Linkbots and accessories will be provided by the C-STEM Center.

Facilitator:
Jeff Hescox, Education Service Manager, UC Davis C-STEM Center

 



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3B. How to Integrate the C-STEM Program with Coding and Robotics into Secondary School Math Education

The C-STEM Mathematics with Robotics curriculum, including 20 UCOP A-G Approved C-STEM courses, has had proven success in increasing student engagement and learning at the secondary level. Hear how a panel of Secondary School Math teachers have incorporated the C-STEM curriculum in their math classes, and how it maps to the big ideas in the upcoming new state math framework. The RoboPlay Challenge Competition is a theme-based level playing field robotics competition for K-12 students. It is designed for students to showcase their real-world math problem solving skills in a competitive environment. Join this session to learn more about how the C-STEM Program can transform math education at the secondary level.

Chairs:
Sue Brothers, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, Travis Unified School District

Rupinder Jagpal, TOSA in charge of C-STEM implementation, Manteca USD

Presenter:
Michelle Center, Teacher, Redlands Unified School District

Cliff Hilken, CTE Teacher, Elk Grove Unified School District

Paul Sommerfield, Math Department Chair, Elk Grove Unified School District

Judith Tuddao, Math Teacher, Manteca High School, Manteca USD
Teresa Sicat, Math Teacher, Manteca High School, Manteca USD

 



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3C. Expanded Learning: Girls In Robotics Leadership (GIRL)/GIRL+  Camps, Ujima GIRL Project, Afterschool and Summer Robotics Camps for Accelerated Math Learning

Learn how to promote diversity and inclusion through the C-STEM Expanded Learning Programs by taking advantage of the existing C-STEM computing resources and robotics infrastructure. The C-STEM GIRL (Girls in Robotics Leadership) summer camps are focused on motivating middle school girls through peer mentoring to teach computing and STEM concepts through a fun and exciting robotics-based curriculum that culminates with the creation of a RoboPlay Video. GIRL+ camps are for high school students. The NSF-funded $2.4M Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) Girls in a Robotics Leadership (GIRL) Project aims to address the significant challenges of inclusion and equity for Black/African American middle school and high school girls in STEM education. More than 2,000 Black girls will be nurtured through this project to lead in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in their schools, communities and careers. More than 10 new school district Ujima GIRL sites will be added in 2022-2023. C-STEM Afterschool and Summer Robotics Camps for Accelerated Math Learning are designed for schools and districts to host for their students locally. The camps focus on the cognitive and socio-emotional aspects of learning, alleviate some of the distress caused by the pandemic, and bring fun back to learning. They empower K-12 students for accelerated and deeper math learning through robotics projects and the solution of real-world problems using math concepts, and at the same time provide students with recreational and teamwork opportunities with peer-mentoring. Join this session to learn how to bring these C-STEM Expanded Learning Programs to your schools, districts, and communities.

Chairs:

Dr. Teresa Aldredge, Past President, Umoja Education Foundation

Marcella Grant, Ujima GIRL Program Manager, UC Davis C-STEM Center

Speakers:

Lilibeth Pinpin, Director, Innovative Programs and Student Success, Solano County Office of Education

Dr. Rosalyn Clark, Targeted Equity Program Specialist, Education Equity Department, Elk Grove USD

Dr. Honey T. Sacro Swem, Elementary Coordinator, Curriculum and Instruction, Fontana USD

Joanne Chan, Instructional Services Coordinator, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District



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Legend
Appropriate for Elementary School Teachers
M Appropriate for Middle School Teachers
H Appropriate for High School Teachers
A Appropriate for Administrators
B BYOD – Bring your own Device (Windows 10 or above, MacOSX 10.13 or above, Chromebook with Chrome OS v. 89 or above)