All university-sponsored events, on and off campus, are canceled or postponed until a later date. Click here for USC COVID-19 updates. Please click here for a list of high-quality online STEM resources for teachers and families.​​

Start Teaching Computer Science in Fall 2020

USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center has partnered with Code.org to expand access to computer science in Southern California* by offering schools the training that empowers teachers to introduce a CS course in middle and high schools in Fall 2020. Whether teachers are new to CS or have experience teaching CS courses, this program promotes growth by providing space for teachers to become comfortable with curricular materials, CS content, and pedagogy.

Apply now for the nine-day training at USC & for full or partial scholarships to this training at USC Viterbi Engineering

• Boot camp: June 22 – 26, 2020.
• Four quarterly Saturday workshops during the 2020-21 school year with your cohort and facilitators.
• Up to 7 units of Continuing Education Units from USC Rossier School of Education for completion of the 9 days of training in the summer and academic year.

You’ll join a community of teachers and districts in partnership with USC Viterbi K-12 STEM Center and benefit from our affiliated opportunities.

Elementary school teachers can start right after completing the Fundamentals training in just one Saturday, find free trainings here.

• USC works with districts other than LAUSD, which has a direct relationship with Code.org.

Image credit: Code.org

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)

Whether teachers are new to computer science (CS) or have experience teaching other CS courses, this program promotes growth by providing space for teachers to become comfortable with curricular materials, CS content, and pedagogy. Learn more about Code.org's Professional Learning training here. 

*LAUSD teachers can access this training through LAUSD. Consequently, USC will be working with other SoCal school districts. 

Why Schools Need More Quality Computer Science Education?

• Every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science. 
• Computer science is about logic, problem solving, collaboration and creativity. Students gain an opportunity to take part in creating technology that will solve problems in their communities and in the world. 
• Computer science teaches students foundational 21st-century knowledge — skills that will open doors in every field, in every state.  

California has no dedicated state funding for CS PD and does not require all high schools to offer CS, even though it has K-12 CS curriculum standards. Code.org and USC Viterbi's K-12 STEM Center offer a solution to Southern California school districts, schools, and teachers.

The value of a computer science education

Computing jobs are the #1 source of new wages in the United States

Image credit: Code.org

Support K-12 Computer Science Education in California here.

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.