This symposium collaborates with educational partners nationwide to showcase engaging coding activities that inspire and empower. Designed to ignite the passion for coding among students from elementary to college levels, our symposium cultivates future leaders in programming and software development.

For educators, we provide invaluable ideas, resources, and support to effortlessly integrate coding concepts into their teaching curriculum. Accessible coding activities can be replicated before, after, or during our symposium by accessing our resources page. Get ready to embark on a journey where coding becomes not just a skill, but a gateway to boundless opportunities.

Students in grades K-College will benefit from attending the Symposium. Different programming codes and products will be discussed as well as career opportunities in programming and related careers.

Teachers of students with visual impairments and assistive technology specialists who would like to integrate coding into their lesson plans and curricula will learn about activities, resources, tips, and pathways to overcoming inaccessible learning platforms and confusing coding lessons.  ACVREP credits will be available for the virtual event in December.

Parents will discover information about how to support and encourage a child with an interest in coding.

Coding is fun, challenging, and accessible across platforms and skill levels. Join us for a dynamic blend of inspirational speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, illuminating presentations, and hands-on demonstration sessions. You can read about last year’s coding symposium from a non-coding perspective in our blog, Accessible Coding: A Reflection From a Non-Techie.

Registration for the National Coding Symposium virtual event on December 10, 2024 is now open! Stay tuned for updates on lineup of activities, speakers and more!

Quorum Hour of Code Fun with Data Science

Explore an all-new Hour of Code activity that is screen reader accessible using Quorum Blocks. 

Presenters 

Andreas Stefik – Andreas is a professor of computer science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. For the last decade, he has been creating technologies that make it easier for people, including those with disabilities, to write computer software. He helped establish the first national educational infrastructure for blind or visually impaired students to learn computer science and invented the first evidence-based programming language, Quorum. The design of Quorum is created from data derived through methodologies similar to those used in the medical community. He has been a principal investigator on 8 NSF-funded grants, many of which related to accessible graphics and computer science education. Finally, he was honored with the 2016 White House Champions of Change award and the Expanding CS Opportunities award from Code.org and the Computer Science Teachers Association. 

Alex Hoffman – Alex is an Assistant Professor of Business Systems & Analytics at Belmont University. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science and M.B.A. from The University of Nevada, Las Vegas and his B.S. in Computer Science from Hardin-Simmons University. Dr. Hoffman’s teaching interests center around data analytics and programming including courses on Python, Data Visualization, ML/AI, and Big Data with a focus on teaching students how to bring together management and technology teams in organizations. 

His research includes early computer science education, especially for students with disabilities, eye tracking behavior, human computer interaction, and programming languages. Prior to his career in academia, Dr. Hoffman was an early-stage startup founder and leader at multiple companies, leading teams in engineering, product, design/UX, marketing, operations, and cyber security. He led and coached numerous teams both in the United States and abroad, ushering many products and teams from early, pre-release or concept stage through mass release to customers. 

Tim Kluthe – Tim is a Masters student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He was instrumental in writing this program. 

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A Finch can Fly with Quorum and Python 

Program a robot with two different languages to draw, glow, and sing. 

Presenters 

Gina Fugate – Gina is a Lego engineering and technology teacher at Maryland school for the blind. Her teaching experience also includes itinerant teaching in Kentucky and Tennessee. Gina Co-coached the DOT5UDOGS and 180 optimum using quorum Lego robotics for first Lego league 

Amanda Rodda  – Amanda is a certified TVI from Washington state. She has taught for 10 years and is currently in a Doctorate program at the University of Florida. 

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Scratch Tactile 

Scratch Tactile is a community and movement for equity, inclusion, and digital accessibility in the classroom. This new resource of tangible programming blocks has been designed for ALL students to learn together in the classroom, following Universal Design for Learning. This project was born with blind and low vision students in mind, and then tested with 200+ diverse learners and improving it to serve all. Anyone can make it thanks to its 3D and 2D designs being Open Source. It has been created by Sistema THEAD and the collaboration of the Scratch Foundation.  

Presenters 

Roger Olivella  – Roger is an educator and designer of learning experiences. He co-founded Sistema THEAD, a non-profit organization with the mission of offering the best digital future to children and young people, especially in underrepresented groups. He is a teacher of the Master’s in Secondary Education Teacher Training taught in La Salle and Blanquerna (University Ramón Llull) and promotes STEAM-Maker education, robotics and computational thinking with various projects with a social and environmental focus linked to the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda, and with an inclusive approach such as Scratch Tactile. 

Maria Seoane – Maria’s curiosity has led her into fields as varied as social entrepreneurship, education, design and photography. In addition, she is the co-founder and director of Sistema THEAD, a non-profit social cooperative committed to the empowerment of teachers and the reduction of the digital gap in vulnerable groups. 

Throughout her career, Maria has promoted numerous initiatives in the education sector, particularly highlighting the Scratch Tactile. This valuable educational tool has had a significant impact in contributing to the reduction of the digital gap in vulnerable children, especially those affected by disabilities or socio-economic challenges. She is committed to continuing to work on initiatives that promote equitable access to education and technology for all. 

The goal of the Coding Symposium is to build connections between students, teachers, and professionals in computer science. To achieve this goal the Day of Code emerged. A Day of Code is an in-person regional event that gives students and teachers hands-on explorational learning opportunities.

The “Day of Code” as part of the APH National Coding Symposium:

When: Throughout the fall from 9/1/24  – 12/7/24
Where: In-person locations around the U.S.
Who: Students who are BVI (visually impaired) and various types of teachers (Gen Ed, ATS, TVIs, Coding clubs etc.)

The focus of each Day of Code may have a unique aspect. Whether it’s exploring the intricacies of Monarch, delving into the capabilities of Quorum, navigating with Screen readers, or building a strong foundation in coding, each Day of Code will be fun and educational.

California School for the Blind

 

Center for Assistive Technology Training

Fox Family Foundation

APH

PPG

• Hive Professional Learning Community – Professional Communities provides a portal to curated webinars, external courses, and provision of other professional resources with the purpose of meeting the needs of people who offer assistance to individuals who are blind or have low vision.
• Gen-Cyber
• Python
• Quorum
• Careers Paths in Coding
• Bridges
• Join the discussion board

Contact APH Outreach at outreach@aph.org for more information.