R-STEM
CS Secondary Certification Hub

About R-STEM CS Secondary Certification Hub

The R-STEM CS Secondary Certification Hub is a 1-year long computer science certification program offered for certified K-12 educatorsin the Greater Houston area in partnership with WeTeach_CS. WeTeach_CS is dedicated to the mission of the CS for All movement by building the capacity of K-12 educators with the content knowledge and skills needed to bring high quality computing education to their students. Specifically, the WeTeach_CS Secondary Certification Hub is focused on helping TX teachers to gain certification in Grades 8-12 CS and Technology Applications. Recognizing that some educators may feel daunted by the prospect of adding computer science to their professional portfolio underscores a significant challenge in the pursuit of "CS for All." Addressing these concerns involves ensuring that all educators, regardless of their background in computer science, are provided with the necessary resources, tools, and support networks to effectively bring CS education to their students.


Participation once accepted includes one of the following pathways:

• CS 8-12 Pathway

• Tech Apps Pathway

2024 R-STEM CS Secondary Certification Hub*

Applications now closed.

The deadline to apply was April 30, 2024. All forms were due by this date.

Dates and Times

CS 8-12 Pathway

Welcome Meeting - In person
- Dates: Saturday, May 18th 8:30am -4:30 pm

Programming Language Immersion (CMU CS-Python based) - 40 hours / Online-Asynchronous w/ Facilitator
- Dates: Weekly Evening Virtual Sessions from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (5 total) | (May 22nd, May 29th, June 5th, June 13th, June 20th)
Remaining course must be completed by June 30, 2024, and prior to starting the Foundations course (approximately 7 hours per week)

Summer Institute for Foundations of CS for Teachers - 40 hours / Online-Asynchronous w/ Facilitator
- Dates: In person June 25th-June 28th 8:30 am to 3:30pm, at Rice University

The remaining courses to be completed by July 10th, 2024 (approximately 8 hours per week) Cert Prep training - 14 hours (2-day training) / IN-PERSON
- Dates: July 12th-13th, 2024 at Rice University

CS 8-12 Practice Packet - 120 Practice Questions + Quizzes & Exam / Online - Self-Paced
- Dates: To be completed before challenging the exam

Must challenge the CS 8-12 exam by August 15th, 2024

Academic Year experiences in CS pedagogy and/or additional test prep as needed
- Dates: Fall 2024 - Spring 2025

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Tech Apps Pathway

Welcome Meeting - 3 hours / Virtual
-Dates: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | 5:00pm-8:00pm

Tech Apps EC-12 cert prep - 7 hours (1-day training) / IN-PERSON
-Dates: Monday, June 24, 2024 | 8:30am-3:30pm at Rice University

Curriculum (aligned to Fundamentals of Computer Science or Computer Science Principles)
-Dates: Monday, June 17, 2024- Friday, June 21, 2024 | 8:30am-3:30pm at Rice University

Tech Apps Practice Packet - 120 Practice Questions + Quizzes & Exam / Online - Self-Paced
-Dates: To be completed before challenging the exam

Must challenge the Tech Apps EC-12 exam by July 31, 2024

Academic Year experiences in CS pedagogy and/or additional test prep as needed
-Dates: Fall 2024 - Spring 2025

Application

Applications now closed.

The deadline to apply was April 30, 2024. All forms were due by this date.

Applicants will be notified of their status on or before May 6, 2024. Space is very limited and subject to funding availability, therefore, completing the application process does NOT guarantee placement in the program.

Please make sure these dates work for you!

Due to funding restrictions, all applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or permanent resident to apply.

Benefits & Expectations

CS 8-12 Pathway

Expectations
-Welcome meeting
-Programming language immersion (CMU CS - Python based)
-Foundations of CS for Teachers
-In-person Certification Prep training
-CS 8-12 Practice Packet
-Must challenge the CS 8-12 exam by August 15, 2024
-Academic Year experiences in CS pedagogy and/or additional test prep as needed

Benefits
-Professional Development Stipend $2,000
-Additional $1,000 for success on CS 8-12 certification exam
-Testing fee reimbursed for up to two exam attempts

Tech Apps Pathway

Expectations
-Welcome meeting
-Tech Apps EC-12 cert prep (hybrid) 1-day training on
-Tech Apps EC-12 cert prep practice questions
-Curriculum training (aligned to Fundamentals of CS or CS Principles)
-Tech Apps Practice Packet
-Must challenge the Tech Apps EC-12 exam by July 31, 2024
-Academic Year experiences in CS pedagogy and/or additional test prep as needed

Benefits
-Professional Development Stipend $1,250
-Additional $200 for success on certification exam
-Testing fee reimbursed for one exam attempt

Program Flyer

To view and download the WeTeach_CS program flyer click here.

R-STEM CS Secondary Certification Hub Administration

If you have any questions about the R-STEM CS Secondary Certification Hub, you can contact the Office of STEM Engagement (R-STEM).

Brittany Templeton
Assistant Director for Computer Science and Mathematics
713-348-8218 | bt36@rice.edu

^{*Program times, dates, locations, and compensation subject to change before the first day of the program.
**Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident to apply.}