The K-12 STEM Center follows all University guidelines for protecting students, families, teachers, and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and reopening attempts. Learn More.
Joining the USC/Code.org community opens up invitations to USC K-12 STEM Center Activities. Learn More.
Code.org 2020-21 Cohort Teachers Say :
“Teachers are often intimidated and don't see the need to add one more thing to their plate unless they are like me and know that coding is the new literacy and must provide it for students to be successful and happy in life. It is very supportive and convenient for us. Thank you for everything."- 2020 Code.org CSD cohort teacher
LAUSD teachers can access this training through LAUSD. USC works with all other school districts in the SoCal region. Learn More.
Our CS Professional Development Impact
“This community of practice has helped prepare me for teaching Computer Science Principles with no prior programming experience. I received much needed preparation and support for the leaders and my peers. I could not have taught this course without this support.
Our Approach to CS Professional Development:
USC and Code.org work together as partners to help K-12 teachers, principals, and district administrators to add Computer Science classes in the 2021-22 academic schedule. USC Viterbi School of Engineering has already trained over 100 teachers, even educators with no computer experience! We start in summer by training teachers how to use Code.org’s free, standards-aligned CS curricula; those teachers stay in a community of practice that continues over the first implementation year, attending quarterly workshops for additional support in teaching CS through project-based learning, even during a pandemic.
Scholarships are available to applicants slated to teach a new CS class at a Southern California school that serves students who are historically underrepresented in STEM and/or received federal aid for meals. Tell us if you’d like to receive more information.
- No background in computers or computer science needed.
- Full scholarships for teachers at systematically under-resourced schools.
- The curriculum, online student learning platform, and access to support from the teacher and Code.org community are available to all schools year-round, FREE of charge.
- Teachers can earn continuing education units (CEUs) for their time.
- Teachers have VIP spots in USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center computer science events. Click here to learn more.
The Value of a Computer Science Education
California has no dedicated state funding for Computer Science Professional Development nor does it require all high schools to offer the subject, despite K-12 Computer Science curriculum standards. Code.org and USC Viterbi's K-12 STEM Center offer a solution to Southern California school districts, schools, and teachers.
Meet our Code.org facilitators:
CS Discoveries
- John Landis, CS teacher at LAUSD’s Girls Academic Leadership Academy
- Debbie Spear, retired LAUSD math & CS teacher
CS Principles
- Katie Ingram, CS teacher at LAUSD's Taft High School
- Jennifer Stone, CS/CTE teacher at LAUSD’s STEM Academy of Hollywood
The USC/Code.org summer cohort with 52 teachers
CS Discoveries Faciltiators John Landa and Debbie Spear with USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Co-Director Katie Mills (L to R)
About Code.org
Code.org is a Seattle-based, 501c3 non-profit dedicated to expanding access to computer science and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. Code.org's vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science. Since launching in 2013, Code.org has partnered with public school districts nationwide, helped change policies to expand computer science programs, built innovative curriculum for all levels K-12, and organized the Hour of Code campaign – which has introduced over 100 million students to computer science to date.
Read more about USC's partnership with Code.org here.