Formats/platforms used:
CoderZ K-12 computer science virtual robotics platform
What is your primary website’s URL?
Problem solved:
As industries increasingly rely on technology-driven solutions, many careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are experiencing a high rate of growth. STEM careers are at the forefront of modern innovation, and new jobs within these disciplines are emerging at rates exponentially higher than the U.S. average.
STEM careers as a whole are projected to grow more than 10 percent over the next 10 years, more than three times faster than the projected growth for all occupations (2.8 percent). The higher-than-average growth rate of many STEM careers underscores the importance of providing a comprehensive STEM education to K-12 students.
CoderZ is a STEM education application and curriculum that is built to introduce students to technology, computer science and robotics, opening up the pathway to career opportunities that are in high demand, including five of the fastest-growing fields:
- Data science
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Actuarial science
- Robotics engineering
CoderZ is designed to support teachers, schools, and school districts. The platform includes assessment and class management capabilities, training aids for teachers who may be new to teaching coding, and reporting tools to enable all levels of the education hierarchy to benefit.
Grades/age range:
Grades 3 - 12
Does your product address core/supplemental/special needs/extracurricular/professional development?
Core, supplemental, and extracurricular
Standards:
CSTA, NGSS, and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Technology Applications
The CoderZ Content Framework provides an overview of the standards, skills, and concepts supported within all CoderZ materials, including the teacher/course guides and CoderZ’s professional development.
Lesson Time Needed:
Most courses offer between 20-25 hours of curriculum, broken down into a series of scaffolded lessons.
Pricing model:
Priced by the seat, per school year. A quote will be provided upon request.
Additional services:
-Comprehensive Professional Development
- Respecting Teachers as Professionals - Allowing teachers the time to collaborate, plan, and tailor lessons to their requirements and strengths
- Supporting Long-Term Growth - Providing ongoing opportunities for further development and facilitating access to the required resources
- Standard-Aligned Professional Development - Cross-disciplinary alignment to the CSTA, NGSS, and Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Technology Applications standards
-Student engagement through CoderZ League
- CoderZ League and League in a Box are exciting online competition frameworks that can be implemented at the class, school, or district level or as an international event
- The international version of CoderZ League has attracted over 150,000 kids from around the world
- CoderZ League develops engagement and increases visibility and community awareness of STEM programs
-CoderZ Targets:
Hard skills
- Programming: Coding with Blockly
- Robotics: Controlling a robot using code
- Math: Applying algebra, geometry, formal logic
- Science: Gathering data, testing hypotheses
- Engineering: Testing and improving a design
- Physics: Understanding motion, speed, time
Soft skills
- Breaking down big problems into pieces
- Developing grit and persistence
- Embracing “failures” for a growth mindset
- Adapting solutions to a changing environment
- Finding and using patterns to make problem solving easier
- Creating plans to achieve goals successfully
TEKS Aligned Computer Science Curriculum for Grades 3-8
Demand for skilled STEM occupations is growing rapidly around the country, especially in Texas where the government estimates these roles will make up 10.5% of total state employment. As an Intelitek subsidiary, CoderZ has the opportunity to help educators around the world prepare students for these lucrative and engaging careers. That’s why we have built new courses from the ground up, specifically for Texas educators.
With full alignment to the revised TEKS for Technology Applications and robust teacher support for interdisciplinary lessons, these courses make it easy for educators to integrate computer science into core subject learning. Flexible implementation options, such as Spanish language support, give schools and teachers the resources they need to build a strong foundation for technical and engineering career pathways that expand opportunities for all students.
What makes CoderZ unique?
CoderZ is a research-based, pedagogically advanced approach to teaching STEM and computer science designed for teachers by teachers. Its 360° approach to code literacy and computer science activities helps kids apply their knowledge to everyday challenges so they actually WANT to keep learning. Even when students move to advanced levels, the experience remains rewarding and fun.
Characteristics
CoderZ is different from other code learning tools for kids in a variety of ways: the interdisciplinary approach covers a full range of STEM topics and critical life skills in addition to coding, The gamified interface and realistic robotics makes learning highly engaging, the accessible platform allows for hassle-free integration, the standards-aligned scaffolded curriculum allows any student to learn at their own pace, and the rich offering of teaching resources makes it easy for teachers to successfully cover the learning material – even without any prior experience in computer science or robotics.
Here's what users are saying:
“It was easy as a teacher to know where my students were and where they are going, and to help them improve."
--Dory Moore, Science Teacher, Ashford School, CT
“The class loved it. We could focus on coding; it’s self-paced and all students found success."
--Jessica Klauzer-Zimmerman, Bell Middle School, CO
Students were engaged in the program and were excited to work on their missions. CoderZ has helped my female students become more confident in math and given them a way to engage in learning coding and math in a fun way.
--Lydia Hernandez, Coordinator, Vanguard Picasso Elementary, TX
My students had such a great experience collaborating and trying to solve the coding challenges to complete each mission. I enjoyed watching students who barely participate in class really get engaged in the challenges. CoderZ helped my students both academically and socially. Students were excited daily to see their team’s progress throughout the competition.
--Veronica Pardo, Teacher, Morris School District, NJ
