2019 Coding & Computer Science Resources

Computer science jobs and careers remain some of the most in-demand in the workforce, so why not go ahead and introduce the foundations and fundamentals to your students now? We have put together a revised guide of 35 of the best computer science resources for schools and students.

Coding & Computer Science Resources for Schools

1. Zulama, an initiative of Carnegie Learning, prides themselves on offering a computer science course for every classroom. This expert crafted content enables students and teachers to design games while learning the foundations of coding in any content area.

2. Code.org is an organization dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. Start here for coding resources such as games, apps and courses. (see feature on CS4RI)

3. Raspberry Pi is a UK-based charity that works to put the power of computing and digital making into the hands of people all over the world. They do this so that more people are “able to harness the power of computing and digital technologies for work, to solve problems that matter to them, and to express themselves creatively.”

4. Girls Who Code is building a pipeline to address the gender gap in tech through immersion programs, clubs, mentorship opportunities, and more.

5.  AI4All is an organization dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion in AI education, research, development, and policy. Their summer education programs are an entry point into artificial intelligence and computer science for underrepresented high school students.

6. Bootstrap World has created a computer science curriculum, based on prestigious university content, that naturally fits into a traditional algebra class.

7. CodeHS is a teaching platform for helping schools teach computer science. They provide web-based curriculum, teacher tools and resources, and professional development.

8. Project Lead the Way provides learning experiences for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S. They create a hands-on classroom environment and aim to help students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Additionally, they provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning.

9. CS for All Teachers is a virtual community of practice, welcoming all teachers from PreK through high school who are interested in teaching computer science. It provides an online home for teachers to connect with one another and with the resources and expertise they need to teach computer science in their classrooms.

10. Edhesive has partnered with Amazon to bring computer science to high schools through a curriculum for any skill level.

11. CodeAcademy is an online catalog of coding courses ranging from web development to programming.

12. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science to show that anybody can learn the basics. However, in 2014, the executive committee of Computing in the Core (ACM, CSTA, NCWIT, IEEE-CS, Google, and Microsoft) voted unanimously to maintain the Hour of Code theme as the centerpiece of #CSEdWeek and just one year later it became the “largest education campaign in history” reaching 100 million “hours served.” (see feature on CSEdWeek and Hour of Code)

13. The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science. They provide opportunities for K–12 teachers and their students to better understand computer science and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and learn.

14. Kodable is a great resource for elementary school students to learn the foundations of coding and core concepts that they will be able to use all throughout their coding and problem-solving journey.

15. Exploring Computer Science is a year-long, research-based, high school intro-level computer science curriculum and teacher professional development program that focuses on broadening participation in computing. They support teachers and districts through the implementation of the course regardless of school resources.

16. AWS Educate is an Amazon initiative to build a workforce that is able to push the limits of cloud technology and IT.

17. AI4K12 is an initiative by the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) to define for artificial intelligence what students should know and be able to do. (see our latest feature)

Coding Tools & Toys for Kids

18. Sphero SPRK is a robust toy by Sphero.edu that includes a gyroscope, motor, and LED lights—all of which are programmable through Sphero’s impressive suite of coding apps for kids.

19. littleBits: is an education startup that invented the electronic building block. These magnetic “Bits” snap together to turn ideas into “inventions, transforming the way kids learn so they can grow up to be tomorrow’s changemakers.” (see feature)

20. Tynker helps kids learn to code using visual code blocks that represent real programming concepts. They progress to text languages like JavaScript and Python as they continue to play through 2,000+ interest-driven activities. (see feature)

21. LEGO BOOST is an introduction-to-coding robot from LEGO. This creative toolbox enables your child to do it all: from petcare to learning an instrument.

22. Cozmo Coding Toy is an innovative AI robot that empowers your child to code actions, games, and more. What can’t Cozmo do?

23. Scratch helps young people learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively. (see feature on their coding cards)

24. Kano Computer Kit comes in a wide array of kits and offerings—from making art and music to building apps, Kano has something for everyone.

25. Coding Express, a game presented by LEGO Education, explores early coding concepts. (We recently reviewed the Coding Express train. See our feature here.)

26. Root, described as “a little robot with a lot of possibilities,” is “an educational robot that teaches coding, creativity, and problem-solving skills to kids from pre-readers through high school.” (see feature)

27. Fisher Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar: A great introduction to coding. Depending on how you put this guy together, it changes his course. Set a target, and then build him to hit it.

28. WowWee COJI The Coding Robot: This guy teaches the basics of coding through the language of emojis.

29. MakerBot, founded in 2009, sells a variety of affordable, easy-to-use, wireless-enabled 3D printers and recognizes the revolution that 3D printing can bring to education. (see feature)

30. Code Piano & Code Rocket are games designed to teach real C++ coding through hands-on electronics. (see feature)

31. Modular Robotics are the creators of Cubelets robot blocks and the MOSS robot construction system. The toys they design aim to give young minds models for understanding and manipulating complex systems. By integrating learning and play, we hope to create a new generation of problem solvers that can better handle complexity and the problems that stem from interconnected systems.

32. Jade Robot is a durable toy from Mimetics that teaches children from ages 8 and up how to code in C++ and Scratch. (see feature)

33. Move the Turtle: This app teaches the general idea of coding by completing step-by-step tasks that move the turtle around on the screen. Successful completion means that newer and more complicated tasks are introduced (think next-gen frogger).

34. Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit: Electrical parts provide students with hands-on experience designing and building models of working electrical circuits.

35. Let’s Start Coding Ultimate Kit 2: “Coding is the new literacy” is the slogan for Let’s Start Coding, a company focused on getting kids accustomed to coding early. The latest revision to their Ultimate Kit has gotten bigger and better—now boasting over 110 projects, no extra tools required, and the ability to create custom circuits. This is a great gift for anyone 10 and over.

There are so many other great educational toys available if you’re doing any last minute shopping or planning for other special occasions in 2020. Check out our latest gift guide here.

We’re sure we missed some great resources. Which would you add? Share in the comments section below.

For more, see:

• Swap Algebra 2 for Data Science, Get a 1-Point Bump in GDP
• The Importance of Understanding Technology, Coding & Computational Thinking
• Computer Science and the Hour of Code

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