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.

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.

This hands-on workshop introduces young learners to physical computing through a three-part progression. Using Hello Ruby, participants explore input, output, processing, and memory by connecting computer systems to familiar real-world examples. They then experiment with circuits using Makey Makey to understand how inputs trigger actions through code. The experience culminates with the Micro:bit, where learners engage with a microcontroller as the “brain,” connecting inputs and outputs through simple programming. This session bridges concrete exploration and computational thinking, making physical computing accessible, creative, and meaningful for elementary classrooms.

Join LEGO Education for a hands-on session that brings Computer Science and AI to life through engaging, accessible learning experiences. Explore how to support all students with tools that make complex concepts approachable, while building critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Participants will work directly with new LEGO Education Computer Science & AI solutions and leave with practical, classroom-ready strategies to integrate meaningful, standards-aligned learning into any environment.

This engaging, hands-on session is designed to explore how educators can effectively support all students with accessible, inclusive solutions for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. As schools continue to navigate the increasing importance of computational thinking, digital literacy, and AI awareness, this session will provide practical strategies and tools to bring these concepts to life in meaningful and equitable ways.

Participants will have the opportunity to work directly with LEGO Education’s newest Computer Science & AI solutions, experiencing firsthand how hands-on, inquiry-based learning can deepen student understanding and engagement. Through guided exploration, educators will discover how these tools empower students to move beyond passive learning—encouraging them to build, test, iterate, and problem-solve as they develop critical skills aligned to modern standards and future-ready competencies.

This session is intentionally designed to model instructional practices that promote active learning, collaboration, and creativity. Educators will learn how to scaffold complex CS & AI concepts in ways that are approachable for diverse learners, ensuring that every student—regardless of background or prior experience—can participate and succeed. From foundational coding principles to emerging AI concepts, participants will explore how to integrate these ideas into existing curricula through flexible, standards-aligned pathways.

By the end of the session, attendees will walk away with actionable insights, classroom-ready strategies, and a clear understanding of how to implement iterative, student-centered learning experiences that make Computer Science and AI both accessible and impactful. Whether you are just beginning your CS journey or looking to expand and enhance your current programming, this experience will equip you with the tools and confidence to bring meaningful, hands-on innovation into your classroom.

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.

Learners are already interacting with AI through everyday tools like voice assistants, face recognition, and recommendation systems. This session explores how educators can introduce AI concepts in developmentally appropriate ways—starting with unplugged play, moving into ethical discussions, and building toward early prompt engineering and machine learning experiences. Participants will leave with practical strategies, tools, and lesson ideas for Elementary and Middle School classrooms.

Join LEGO Education for a hands-on session that brings Computer Science and AI to life through engaging, accessible learning experiences. Explore how to support all students with tools that make complex concepts approachable, while building critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Participants will work directly with new LEGO Education Computer Science & AI solutions and leave with practical, classroom-ready strategies to integrate meaningful, standards-aligned learning into any environment.

This engaging, hands-on session is designed to explore how educators can effectively support all students with accessible, inclusive solutions for Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape. As schools continue to navigate the increasing importance of computational thinking, digital literacy, and AI awareness, this session will provide practical strategies and tools to bring these concepts to life in meaningful and equitable ways.

Participants will have the opportunity to work directly with LEGO Education’s newest Computer Science & AI solutions, experiencing firsthand how hands-on, inquiry-based learning can deepen student understanding and engagement. Through guided exploration, educators will discover how these tools empower students to move beyond passive learning—encouraging them to build, test, iterate, and problem-solve as they develop critical skills aligned to modern standards and future-ready competencies.

This session is intentionally designed to model instructional practices that promote active learning, collaboration, and creativity. Educators will learn how to scaffold complex CS & AI concepts in ways that are approachable for diverse learners, ensuring that every student—regardless of background or prior experience—can participate and succeed. From foundational coding principles to emerging AI concepts, participants will explore how to integrate these ideas into existing curricula through flexible, standards-aligned pathways.

By the end of the session, attendees will walk away with actionable insights, classroom-ready strategies, and a clear understanding of how to implement iterative, student-centered learning experiences that make Computer Science and AI both accessible and impactful. Whether you are just beginning your CS journey or looking to expand and enhance your current programming, this experience will equip you with the tools and confidence to bring meaningful, hands-on innovation into your classroom.

In this session, I’ll show you how I use Sphero BOLT, Indi, and Ozobots to make coding fun, hands-on, and accessible for all students. We’ll try out activities you can use right away, explore both unplugged and on-screen coding, and talk about how to keep students engaged while building real problem-solving skills.

In this hands on professional development session, I will guide you through how to effectively integrate Sphero BOLT, Indi, and Ozobots into your K–4 classroom to support computer science learning in engaging and meaningful ways. We will start by exploring the unique features of each robot and how they support different entry points for students, from screen free coding with Indi to color coded and blockly programming with Ozobots and block-based coding with Sphero BOLT.

Throughout the session, you will actively participate in the same types of activities your students would experience. We will begin with simple, accessible challenges to build confidence, then gradually move into more complex tasks that encourage problem solving, collaboration, and creativity. With Ozobots, we will explore both color code programming and transition into Blockly coding to support students as they move into more advanced concepts. With Indi, we will look at foundational use with color tiles and also how older students can extend their learning by recoding the color tiles using the app to create more customized pathways and challenges.

I will model how to introduce these tools to students, manage materials, and structure lessons so that all learners can be successful, including those who may need additional support.

I will share ready to use lesson ideas, classroom management strategies, and tips for differentiating instruction. Time will be built in for exploration, questions, and collaboration so you can think about how these tools will look in your own classroom.

By the end of the session, you will leave with practical strategies, classroom ready activities, and the confidence to begin using robotics and coding in a way that is engaging, inclusive, and aligned to your students needs.