CSTANJ CSPDWeek 2026

This session will start with the Makey Makey basics and progress to include creative projects and coding.

Welcome to the world of Makey Makey! We will begin with some basics of using Makey Makey by testing everyday items for conductivity and building simple circuits. We will proceed to incorporate project ideas that will get you thinking creatively, and end with how to integrate Scratch coding to level up your Makey Makey game.

This workshop is for teachers interested in starting a robotics class in the middle or high school setting. We will use Vex robots to learn how to build and program robots. Join us for an information session then go to the Robotics Playground to get some hands-on experience.

Join this hands-on workshop to explore how coding with CoDrone can engage students in learning computer science concepts through flight-based challenges. Participants will program drones to complete interactive tasks while building skills in sequencing, loops, and problem-solving. No prior coding or drone experience is required.

Bring computer science to life through flight-based, hands-on learning in this interactive workshop focused on coding with CoDrone. Participants will explore how drones can be used as an engaging platform for teaching core programming concepts such as sequencing, loops, conditionals, variables, and debugging. By programming drones to complete structured challenges, educators will experience how abstract coding concepts translate into visible, real-time actions, helping make computer science more accessible and motivating for students.

Throughout the session, participants will engage in scaffolded activities that begin with basic drone control and progress toward more complex, mission-based coding tasks. These experiences are designed to model how educators can introduce computational thinking in a way that is both developmentally appropriate and highly engaging for learners with no prior coding experience. Emphasis will be placed on inquiry-based learning, problem-solving, and iterative design as participants test, refine, and improve their code to achieve specific flight objectives.

In addition to hands-on exploration, the workshop will highlight practical strategies for integrating drone-based coding into existing curricula across grade levels and subject areas. Participants will examine how these activities align with computer science standards and support interdisciplinary connections in math, science, and engineering. Guidance will also be provided on classroom management considerations, grouping strategies, and resource planning to ensure successful implementation.

By the end of the workshop, educators will leave with a clear understanding of how to use drones as a tool for teaching computer science, along with ready-to-use activity ideas and a foundational plan for integrating coding with drones into their own instructional settings.

Robotics Playground offers a full‑day, open‑house learning experience designed for K–12 educators. Teachers are welcome to stop by at any time to explore robotics devices, engage in unplugged coding, and participate in hands‑on collaborative activities. With support from experienced facilitators, participants will uncover innovative strategies to strengthen computer science instruction and inspire student engagement in STEM.

Join this hands-on workshop to explore how coding with CoDrone can engage students in learning computer science concepts through flight-based challenges. Participants will program drones to complete interactive tasks while building skills in sequencing, loops, and problem-solving. No prior coding or drone experience is required.

Bring computer science to life through flight-based, hands-on learning in this interactive workshop focused on coding with CoDrone. Participants will explore how drones can be used as an engaging platform for teaching core programming concepts such as sequencing, loops, conditionals, variables, and debugging. By programming drones to complete structured challenges, educators will experience how abstract coding concepts translate into visible, real-time actions, helping make computer science more accessible and motivating for students.

Throughout the session, participants will engage in scaffolded activities that begin with basic drone control and progress toward more complex, mission-based coding tasks. These experiences are designed to model how educators can introduce computational thinking in a way that is both developmentally appropriate and highly engaging for learners with no prior coding experience. Emphasis will be placed on inquiry-based learning, problem-solving, and iterative design as participants test, refine, and improve their code to achieve specific flight objectives.

In addition to hands-on exploration, the workshop will highlight practical strategies for integrating drone-based coding into existing curricula across grade levels and subject areas. Participants will examine how these activities align with computer science standards and support interdisciplinary connections in math, science, and engineering. Guidance will also be provided on classroom management considerations, grouping strategies, and resource planning to ensure successful implementation.

By the end of the workshop, educators will leave with a clear understanding of how to use drones as a tool for teaching computer science, along with ready-to-use activity ideas and a foundational plan for integrating coding with drones into their own instructional settings.

Ready to launch a robotics program but not sure where to start? This hands-on workshop provides a comprehensive roadmap for bringing VEX Robotics into your middle or high school classroom. After a foundational briefing on curriculum integration and equipment logistics during the morning session, we’ll move to the Robotics Playground for an immersive build-and-code experience. You’ll gain practical experience assembling hardware and programming movement, leaving with the technical confidence and instructional strategies needed to transition from an empty lab to a fully functional, student-led robotics environment.

This session will start with the Makey Makey basics and progress to include creative projects and coding.

Welcome to the world of Makey Makey! We will begin with some basics of using Makey Makey by testing everyday items for conductivity and building simple circuits. We will proceed to incorporate project ideas that will get you thinking creatively, and end with how to integrate Scratch coding to level up your Makey Makey game.