2024 North Carolina Computer Science Professional Development

North Carolina’s Computer Science Teaching Professional Learning Program (NC-CS-PLP) aims to help students learn computer science concepts and gain skills to actively engage as informed participants in a technology-driven world. NCDPI and the North Carolina State Board of Education have added computer science to the North Carolina graduation requirements and created the first K-12 computer science standards for North Carolina. 

Support from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has given the Friday Institute the ability to expand its professional learning programs to offer Code.org’s professional learning series to North Carolina educators. You don’t have to be a software developer to teach computer science! This year-long Professional Learning Program is designed to support you throughout the academic year as you teach, engage, and empower your students to explore computer science.

• Learn in a safe and fun environment
• No prior CS experience necessary for CS Principles and CS Discoveries training
• Breakfast, lunch and lodging provided* (lodging dependent on distance)
• Help your students take the lead in their education

These trainings are intensive, highly supportive programs designed to prepare educators who have not necessarily taught or studied computer science previously. Educators across the state can now register to attend trainings at the site nearest them to complete the computer science professional development that best suits their instructional needs.

Computer Science PD Programs

These programs support educators with diverse teaching backgrounds as they prepare to teach any of the following courses or plan to integrate CS practices into their existing curriculum and instruction:

Which Training Should I Take?

I am teaching CS this year	I will start teaching CS in the 25/26 school year
Just in Time (CSD and CSP)	Summer Curriculum Training
This experience is designed as a condensed training intended for educators who could not attend the summer 5-day workshops. While it will not be the same experience, it will provide you with enough knowledge and experience to begin teaching Code.org’s Computer Science curriculum. It will consist of three, 2-hour sessions and asynchronous work to provide teachers with a basic understanding of the Code.org curriculum.  We will also provide office hours every Thursday from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. to assist educators in completing their asynchronous work and answer any questions they might have about the curriculum. Fill out this form for more information.	The complete curriculum professional development begins with a five-day synchronous training program intended to provide educators with the knowledge needed to begin facilitating the Code.org computer science curricula. Over the course of the five days, teachers will receive hands-on experience with several lessons from the curriculum, training on the Code.org platform and networking time to connect with other computer science teachers in the program. The work continues into the school year to provide teachers with ongoing computer science support as they begin to teach the course. Educators will meet on four separate Saturdays to continue their curriculum and pedagogical training. Additional information coming soon!

Computer Science Discoveries (CSD)

Targeted specifically for teachers of students in grades 6-10, this training takes a wide lens on CS and prepares educators to teach this intro course. Topics covered focus on problem-solving, programming, and user-centered design while inspiring students to build their own digital content. CSD can be taught as a single semester or multi-semester course, over a full school year, or integrated with other content units.

Computer Science Principles (CSP)

Thinking of launching a CS class in your school? CSP covers a wide variety of computer science principles, creating the condition of CS concepts and how computing and technology can impact the world. Training provides accessible and equitable content for educators to share with high school students as either an introductory CS course or as a College Board AP course.

Computer Science A (CSA)

Offered only in the summer

Computer Science A (or AP CSA) is the first AP course that was developed for high school students to learn computer science. Focused on learning and applying the Java programming language, AP CSA introduces students to software engineering and object-oriented design. Students should have taken an introductory CS course prior to AP CSA. Prerequisite CS training is required.

Registration Information

For ease of access and to bring professional development directly to educators, professional development training locations have been spread across the state of North Carolina. Please visit Code.org’s Professional Learning page to register.

Professional Development Just-In-Time Training

Registration is OPEN until December 31, 2024, for Just-In-Time Training

Applying is easy and only takes about 10 minutes! Once your application is complete, you can expect to hear from the Friday Institute with your acceptance decision within 2-3 weeks. If you are accepted into the Professional Learning program, you are encouraged to register within two weeks to secure your spot.

*Note: This application review process requires your administrator/school leader to approve your application via email.

How much will this cost?

Thanks to generous sponsorship from DPI, this training is being provided at no cost to public school teachers! The Code.org curriculum, online student learning platform and access to support from the teacher and Code.org community are also available to all schools year-round–free of charge. Participants are encouraged to attend training locations closest to their region. Participants and their schools/districts are responsible for mileage and hotel accommodations.

Private school educators are also welcome to apply. Please email us at code@fi.ncsu.edu to discuss pricing.

In State (North Carolina)	Cost
Public School Educator	$0
Private Schools or Organizations	$1500/person
Out-of-State
Public School	$1500/person
Private Schools or Organizations	$1500/person

Register

Stipends

Educators will be provided with a $400 stipend for their participation. Teachers will receive $200 for completing the 5-day summer workshop, and the last $200 for completing 3 out of 4 quarterly workshops. 

Stipends are not included for Just-In-Time training options.

Interested in K-5? Elementary Computer Science Professional Learning Program

Workshops in Code.org’s Computer Science Fundamentals K-5 curriculum are offered throughout the school year and summer. Contact us for more information.

Interested in CS education support for your school district? Contact us.

Questions? 

Contact the CS Professional Learning Team and Russell Strand-Poole at code@fi.ncsu.edu.

Partners