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  • 1.  Growing Equity in Computing: Knowledge-building Opportunities (GECKO) Grants

    Posted 03-14-2023 09:42 AM
    Edited by Jason W. Bohrer 03-14-2023 11:13 AM

    There's still time to host a GECKO Grant event this year! 

    Purpose: The Expanding Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance in collaboration with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) is calling for applications for a grant program to support projects focusing on equity in K-12 computer science education. Our new Growing Equity in Computing Knowledge-building Opportunities (GECKO) grants will award up to $1500 to CSTA chapters running one-time or multiple-session chapter events (including meetings, and summits) that focus on increasing equity in CS education. 

    Timeline & Application Details:

    • Deadlines: Applications are approved on a rolling basis.

    • Apply Here: Chapter Grant Application (select ECEP / CSTA GECKO Equity Grants)

    Overview: 

    Both ECEP and CSTA are committed to broadening participation in computer science. We recognize that there are stark equity gaps in our current K-12 system and investments must be made in order to address these disparities. You can read more about the disparities across the nation in the 2020 State of Computer Science Education report. We know that teachers are instrumental in addressing these equity gaps and want to ensure that you have the partners, tools and resources that you need to impact the number and diversity of students in CS education pathways.  

    Ready-Made Activities:

    We've created a series of ready-made activities that you can consider for your equity activities. Of course, you are welcome to build your own activities too. All activities will be put into a resource page for future use. If you create an equity-focused activity, we will make sure you and your CSTA Chapter are acknowledged as the creators.  

    Also, you can review the recording and resources from the #MidYearCLS last month.

    Any questions? 

    Reach out to: chapters@csteachers.org Learn more about ECEP at https://ecepalliance.org/



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    Jason W. Bohrer | Chapter Relations Lead
    Computer Science Teachers Association | @csteachersorg
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  • 2.  RE: Growing Equity in Computing: Knowledge-building Opportunities (GECKO) Grants

    Posted 03-14-2023 12:44 PM

    Hello. My name is Stephanie Shrake and I am the President for CSTA Longwood (PA). If you haven't applied for a GECKO grant before, it is super easy and a great way to get CS activities in your communities funded through CSTA! Last year, CSTA Longwood applied for a GECKO grant where we hosted a DRONE event for families and members in our community. The DRONE day was super easy to plan and super fun to "host"! We were just approved to "host" a HACKATHON in our CSTA Longwood community for a fun event this Spring! If anyone has questions, please reach out to CSTA Longwood at longwoodpa@csteachers.org.



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    Stephanie Shrake k12teacher
    West Grove
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  • 3.  RE: Growing Equity in Computing: Knowledge-building Opportunities (GECKO) Grants

    Posted 03-30-2023 10:56 PM

    Grant is in! Thank you Jason for being so supportive and helpful! CSTA Hawaii is using the meetup time during Nationals to host a Lunch & Learn. We'll use the Bias Busting Workshop materials to facilitate a conversation around the following big question: "Why, in spite of all our schools offering computer science classes, less than 4% of our students are enrolling in them." Are there implicit biases at play? Our we educators and administrators unknowingly sending out the wrong message? Passionate to improve this statistic!



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    Debbie Yoshino k12teacher
    Aiea HI
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