Jun 21, 2018   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

CodeSpark Academy Partners with Launch CS to Deliver a Computational Thinking Professional Development Program for Elementary School Teachers

PASADENA, Calif., June 21, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In an effort to bring computer science to all young kids, codeSpark Academy, the award-winning computer science platform for elementary school students, announced today a partnership with Launch CS, to offer an innovative professional development (PD) course to educators. Dubbed codeSpark Launch, the course is designed to help educators teach students ages 5- 10 years old, the basics of programming and the foundations of computational thinking.

Ninety percent of elementary schools that have implemented computer science use codeSpark Academy which is research-backed and free for all public school teachers. Developed specifically for K-5 teachers, the codeSpark Launch PD program is structured as a five-module course consisting of online training and supplemental physical materials that supports three main goals including: 

    --  Increasing teacher content knowledge
    --  Aligning instruction to meet national 2017 Computer Science Teachers
        Association Standards (CSTA)
    --  Beginning #CSforAll in Kindergarten

"Research shows that learning to code at a young age not only teaches kids to use technology as a tool, it also helps develop logic and sequencing skills that can be transferred to other core subjects like reading and math," said Grant Hosford, co-creator of codeSpark Academy. "Our mission is to make coding accessible to all young people. We're investing in new professional development resources, classroom tools, research, and community support for K-5 educators who teach computer science to achieve this goal. We are thrilled to partner with Launch CS to help make this possible."

Teaching coding in elementary school improves students' problem solving and logical thinking abilities while building their confidence and interest in this key 21st century skill. It also gives young learners a head start in related subjects like science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The codeSpark Launch PD course was carefully designed to meet the needs of teachers who are incorporating computer science and computational thinking into their elementary school curriculum that will provide a set of skills students can leverage to tackle hard problems of all kinds using ideas from computer science.

"I really enjoyed learning more computational thinking skills using The Foos, silly but engaging characters in codeSpark Academy," said Lisa Bohaty, K-5 computer science teacher at Lincoln Public Schools in Nebraska who took part in the pilot program to test, vet and provide feedback for the codeSpark Launch course. "I like how every module builds on skills students already learned. The course was well put together and easy to learn and understand," added Bohaty.

"We are over the moon about working with codeSpark. As a company run for and by educators, we have always been impressed with codeSpark's responsiveness and attentiveness to the needs of teachers and students," said Grant Smith, Founder of Launch CS. "The codeSpark Launch course are an important addition to already outstanding classroom resources and a best-in-class learning platform."

codeSpark Launch is affordably priced at $250 (valued at $350) and teachers who sign up in-person at ISTE will receive the course for a special price of $99. CodeSpark Academy and Launch CS will be exhibiting at ISTE from June 24 - June 27 at booth #2562.

For more information or to register for codeSpark Launch, please visit: learn.launchcs.com/courses/codespark-launch

About codeSpark Academy
Headquartered in Pasadena, codeSpark Academy is an award-winning computer science education platform for kids that are 4- 10 years old. The app turns programming into play with a mix of curriculum based lessons, powerful creative tools and lovable characters called Foos. codeSpark Academy is the most used coding app for young kids and is played by millions in over 200 countries. Co-­founders Grant Hosford and Joe Shochet are dads and serial entrepreneurs who've built world-class mobile products for leading companies like Disney, Idealab and eHarmony.

About Launch CS
Launch CS provides computer science/computational thinking integration professional development for K-8 educators. Through its regional trainers that provide in-person courses, highly effective online-hybrid courses, and capacity building train-the-trainer program, the US based company serves the entire country to help make #CSforAll a reality. Launch CS understands the needs of teachers, administrators, and curriculum developers because its founders, Grant Smith and Sarah, worked in those roles themselves.

Media Contact:
Alyssa@ammediaworks.com
973-615-1292

SOURCE CodeSpark Academy