Computer Science Teachers Association

1. Computer Science Teachers Association Omaha CSTA Kickoff meeting – Nov. 11, 2013

2. Agenda • Introductions • CSTA overview • Potential goals and activities • Chapter leadership • Action items till next meeting • Next meeting date

3. Attendees • Harvey Siy, University of Nebraska at Omaha • Brian Dorn, University of Nebraska at Omaha • Kristeen Shabram, Westside Middle School • David Shabram, Westside Middle School • Qiuming Zhu, University of Nebraska at Omaha • Ramsey Young, Millard West High School • Therese Laux, Omaha North High School • Dan Parkison, Bellevue West High School • Derek Babb, Bellevue East High School • Dawn Nizzi, Westside High School Career Center • Doug Bertelsen, Gretna High School

4. What is CSTA? The Computer Science Teachers Association is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. CSTA provides opportunities for K–12 teachers and students to better understand the computing disciplines and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and learn. CSTA homepage: http://csta.acm.org

5. CSTA’s Focus Elementary and Middle school • problem solving & computational thinking High school • computing & computer science College/university • enrollment & transition Industry • engagement & preparation

6. CSTA Resources • Professional development opportunities • Teacher workshops • K-12 CS curriculum standards • Grant support • Advocacy tools • Promotional materials • Lists of events for students • CS education research articles

7. Forming a CSTA Chapter Newly-formed chapters should ideally include: • local computer science teachers (should be members of the national CSTA) • a university or college site or school district site willing to host regular meetings. Note that there is a Nebraska statewide chapter that meets in Lincoln: http://www.cstanebraska.org. CSTA chapters: http://csta.acm.org/About/sub/CSTAChapters.html

8. Benefits • Approved use of the CSTA name • Unlimited use of CSTA Chapter logo for identification • Listing of regular meeting times/activities in the CSTA Voice • Advice and support from a special CSTA Chapter Liaison • Contact information for all CSTA members in local region upon request • CSTA promotional materials • Opportunity for chapter president to attend leadership events • Publicity of professional development opportunities in region • Facilitation of connections to local post-secondary institutions interested in K-12 issues

9. Obligations • Have a minimum of 5 members, not all from the same institution • Hold regular membership meetings • Have identified leadership structure (all chapter officers must be CSTA members in good standing) • Formal set of bylaws meeting the conditions: • Organization name reflecting geographic location • Clearly stated purpose/mission aligned to the CSTA mission • Continuity of elected leadership • Non-restrictive membership • Dissolution clause providing for excess funds

10. Obligations (cont’d) • Provide standardized, on-going communication to members • Provide an annual report to CSTA and chapter membership of activities of past year and proposed plan for upcoming year • Regularly communicate updates regarding leadership, membership, and activities with CSTA chapter liaison • Maintain relationships with other local chapters as appropriate • Answer requests for information from CSTA promptly • Promote CSTA to its membership and in the local region

11. Chapter Application Chapter applications must be submitted in writing to the CSTA Board of Directors in care of the Chapter Liaison at chapters@csta.acm.org. All completed applications are subject to approval by the CSTA Executive Committee based on the recommendation of the CSTA Chapter Liaison and Executive Director. For questions with regard to local chapter formation, please contact the CSTA Chapter Liaison at chapters@csta.acm.org.

12. Omaha CSTA Chapter Formation Application Form: http://csta.acm.org/About/sub/AboutFiles/NewCSTAChapterAppl.doc Bylaw Template: http://csta.acm.org/About/sub/AboutFiles/CSTAChapterBylaws2013.doc

13. What is our name and mission? The organization will be known as the Metro Omaha CSTA (hereafter referred to as Chapter), a local chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association (hereafter referred to as CSTA). The mission of the Chapter is to further the mission of the CSTA and promote computing and related disciplines in the Omaha Metropolitan area.

14. Potential activities • A Nebraska CS Education Week in spring – webcam tour of different schools • Area workshops/conferences • RET Spring workshop – Feb 22, 2014 • NETA 2014 – joint event with Nebraska CSTA? • RET work • Hour of code experiences • CS Unplugged • Is there a designated time for sharing/networking? • InfoTec 2014 – • Something for the kids to do that’s CS-related • Classroom visit • CS at UNO Day – bring your class to UNO • Open house • Project presentations • Get corporate sponsors, e.g., Google • Exercises (CS Unplugged) • Show and tell (Fair: bring students’ work to show to others) • Bring in community members to classroom – professionals (SkyVu) – show community support • Omaha CSTA can provide a clearinghouse of information • Professional development (mini-PD during regular CSTA meetings) • Stacy Armstrong – AP CS trainer (Houston) • David Reed – AP CS chief reader (Creighton) • Teachers sharing experiences • Chapter Website • Share lessons • Fund raising

15. Chapter leadership “The Chapter shall be governed by a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer elected by the membership of the Chapter. No member of the Chapter shall receive compensation for serving in the leadership of the Chapter.” -- Bylaws template (Article IV, Section 1) Need to elect: • President – Derek Babb • Vice-President – Doug Bertelsen • Secretary – Dawn Nizzi • Treasurer – Therese Laux • Add clauses in bylaw: • Have liaison to attend Huskers chapter meetings • Future elections to be held during September meeting

16. Action items • Fill out the chapter application and bylaws, and send out to founding members before next meeting – Dawn • Send PowerPoint and list of people to Dawn – Harvey • Create a chapter website – let leadership team appoint

17. Next meeting December 9, 2013, 5:30-6:30 Send out a poll for next year

18. Reminders • Hour of Code • Faces of Computing (deadline Nov 18) • National CS Education Week (December 9-15) • UNO CS Education Week (December 2-6) – see flyer in packet • UNO Research Experiences for Teachers: Spring Workshop (February 22, 2014)