Computer Science is Elementary

The vision of the Computer Science is Elementary project is to transform six high-poverty elementary schools into showcases of outstanding computer science education, including career exploration with employer partners, no later than the 2020-21 school year. These six Computer Science is Elementary Schools, plus Loess Hills Computer Programming School, will serve as a statewide resource for Iowa educators by sharing their curriculum and community engagement strategies. Computer science is a new basic skill in the 21st century, so building a strong foundation early for all students is critical. This will ensure they are well prepared later in their personal and professional lives, including for a dynamic workforce where a growing number of jobs require computer science skills.

Blueprints

Each Computer Science is Elementary school developed a blueprint outlining their path to implementing computer science cross-curricularly in their local elementary school. Click on the links below for access to the blueprints.

Awards

Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced twelve schools selected to each receive $50,000 grants through the Computer Science is Elementary project.

The six initial schools, which Gov. Reynolds named at the 2019 Future Ready Iowa-STEM Summit, are:

Cora B. Darling Elementary in the Postville Community School District.
Denison Elementary in the Denison Community School District.
East Union Elementary in the East Union Community School District.
Lenihan Intermediate in the Marshalltown Community School District.
Perry Elementary in the Perry Community School District.
Richardson Elementary in the Fort Madison Community School District.

The six additional schools announced on June 5, 2019, are:

Franklin Elementary in the Boone Community School District.
Hospers Elementary in the MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District.
Kingsley-Pierson Elementary in the Kingsley-Pierson Community School District.
Pocahontas Elementary in the Pocahontas Area Community School District.
Storm Lake Elementary in the Storm Lake Community School District.
Whittier Elementary in the Clinton Community School District.

At least one Computer Science is Elementary School is located in each of the six regions established by the Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Council. Loess Hills Computer Programming School in Sioux City also will receive $50,000 to serve as a project resource.