New Ways for Educators to Offer Computing Learning Experiences.

Check out NCWIT AspireIT new ways to offer computer science learning and share your own learning experiences and resources.

NCWIT AspireIT (www.aspirations.org/aspireit), a program designed to teach K-12 girls programming fundamentals and computational thinking, will embolden educators and NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Community members to build and creatively offer near-peer computing learning opportunities, virtually or in person, in new ways.

Research shows that AspireIT participants more easily identify with near-peer mentors, increasing their personal self-efficacy and confidence. To that end, NCWIT will launch two new AspireIT components to amplify and further the positive impact of near-peer instruction:

• The AspireIT Toolkit, launching Fall 2021, provides formal and informal educators (counselors, administrators, mentors, or other influencers) with connections to AiC Community members for assistance with putting on near-peer programs that draw from NCWIT research on creating equity in computing education. The Toolkit will provide planning resources, like curriculum, lesson plans, checklists, and evaluation tools. 
• The AspireIT Impact Award, applications opening April 2021, recognizes AiC Community members for their incredible efforts to ultimately encourage K-12 girls to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas to future innovations. Thirty award recipients will be selected based on their efforts to build and creatively offer hands-on learning opportunities in computing and career exploration, and to bring together advocates and allies of various backgrounds through computing-related events and community groups.