CSTANJ CSPDWeek 2026: Full Schedule

CSPDWeek 2026

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8:00am EDT

AI Coding Buddies: Sparking Critical & Creative Thinking in CS

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am EDT

What if every student had a “Design Thinking Buddy” to guide them through coding, debugging, and creative problem solving? This hands-on session explores how student-facing AI agents—customized for CS classrooms—can scaffold design thinking, UDL, and inclusive CS practices for diverse learners.

Participants will experiment with an AI Coding Buddy, learn core prompt‑engineering strategies, and explore adaptable templates for building their own classroom bots using platforms such as Flint, MagicSchool, SchoolAI, Gemini, ChatGPT, Canva AI, Makers Empire, Coding Makers, Tinkercad, or Qweebi.

Through open-ended challenges and reflection, we’ll examine how AI supports English learners, reluctant writers, and neurodiverse students while strengthening confidence and independence in CS.

Attendees will leave with practical integration strategies, alignment to CSTA and UDL frameworks, and ready-to-use resources for launching their own Design Thinking Buddy in any grade level.

Speakers

Kimberly Smith

CS & Design Thinking/STEAM Teacher | Instructional Innovation Coach | Systems Administrator |, Saint Rapahel School

Kim Smith is a STEAM, computer science, and design thinking educator with more than 25 years of experience helping students and teachers use technology to create, design, and solve real-world problems. Her work focuses on making computer science, engineering, and STEAM learning accessible... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am EDT
Virtual

Algorithms and Programming, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin | Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin | Digital Tools, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin

Company Virtual

8:00am EDT

Java Classes and Methods

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am EDT

Virtual

This Intermediate Java workshop is designed for learners who have completed the Java for Teachers course or who have basic experience with the Java programming language, including declaring variables, printing to output, writing conditional statements, and using loops. To build on this foundation, learners will be introduced to key object-oriented programming concepts in Java, such as using objects as data types, understanding the structure of a class, writing and calling instance methods, and—time permitting—basic inheritance.

Speakers

Lora Santucci

Teacher of Computer Science & Mathematics, Morris Hills High School

Lora Santucci teaches math and computer science at Morris Hills High School in Rockaway, NJ where she resides with her husband and children. She studied mathematics, computer science, and music at Rutgers University and began teaching in 1998. Over the years she has presented at NCTM... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 8:00am - 10:00am EDT
Virtual

Algorithms and Programming, 6-8, 9-12, Admin | Digital Tools, 6-8, 9-12, Admin

Company Virtual

10:00am EDT

Create any Computer Science Assignment with JuiceMind’s AI Creator (Grades 6-12)

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Virtual

An introduction to JuiceMind’s AI creator, including how teachers can instantly generate content using a prompt or by uploading a PDF/Google link.

The session introduces JuiceMind’s AI Creator, a new tool designed to help teachers generate classroom-ready content in seconds using a prompt, PDF, or Google link. As teachers continue to balance planning, instruction, assessment, and differentiation, JuiceMind's AI Creator provides a faster way to create teaching materials while still giving teachers control over the final content.

The session will include an overview of how teachers can use AI Creator to generate assignments, lessons, reviews, assessments, and JuiceMind Quizzes. We’ll also walk through how teachers can create content aligned with state-specific standards. The goal of the session is for teachers to understand how AI Creator can help save time, support classroom instruction, and make it easier to create engaging learning materials for students.

Speakers

Ryan Dehmoubed

Co-founder, JuiceMind Inc.

Ryan Dehmoubed is the co-founder of JuiceMind (www.juicemind.com), a comprehensive, web-based coding platform that provides computer science curricula for K-12 education. He was recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2025 for his work in education.

Sponsors

JuiceMind

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Virtual

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, 6-8, 9-12, Admin | Digital Tools, 6-8, 9-12, Admin | Lesson Planning with AI, 6-8, 9-12, Admin

Company Virtual

11:00am EDT

From Data to Decisions: Teaching Data Science for Real-World Impact + AI

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Virtual

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming how we collect, analyze, and act on data—but how do we translate this into meaningful classroom experiences?

In this interactive session, participants will explore practical strategies for integrating AI into Data Science instruction using real-world datasets and accessible classroom tools. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming how we collect, analyze, and act on data—but how do we translate this into meaningful classroom experiences?

In this interactive session, participants will explore practical strategies for integrating AI into Data Science instruction using real-world datasets and accessible classroom tools. Drawing from my immersive experience at the University of New Mexico, diving into Data Science + AI with Bootstrap as the sponsor (June 22nd-27th, 2026), this session highlights how educators can move beyond theory and empower students to:
1. Analyze real datasets using AI-supported tools
2. Identify patterns, trends, and anomalies
3. Make ethical, data-driven decisions
4. Understand bias, limitations, and responsible AI use
5. Participants will leave with ready-to-use lesson ideas, student project frameworks, and tools that support equitable and engaging AI learning experiences aligned to CSTA standards.

Speakers

Dr. Sonia Mitchell

CSTA Standards Writer, Coach & Mentor | Code.org Coach | CS Instructor | EdTech Consultant, Learning Minds Consulting

Dr. Sonia Mitchell is a multidisciplinary leader and founder of Learning Minds Consulting, specializing in AI, Business & EdTech Leadership · Instructional Design · District Innovation, with a professional background spanning PreK–College education, technology training, government... Read More →

Thursday August 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Virtual

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin | Data Science, PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin | Digital Citizenship, PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin | Digital Tools, PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Admin

Company Virtual

CSTANJ CSPDWeek 2026

8:00am EDT

Kimberly Smith

8:00am EDT

Lora Santucci

10:00am EDT

Ryan Dehmoubed

JuiceMind

11:00am EDT

Dr. Sonia Mitchell

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