Picademy

Guest post by Kyle Wilke of Valencia Elementary...

Are you a teacher? Interested in computer science? Like Raspberry Pi? Interested in the culture of making? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Picademy is for you! Picademy is a free, YES FREE, professional development designed to equip educators with the skills they need to bring computer science to their students. This centers around a little $35 device called the Raspberry Pi. 

What Happens at Picademy?

Day one is best described as a crash course into maker culture. You will hear from amazing speakers about why computer science education is critical, and how they are using the Raspberry Pi to educate the next generation. You will be introduced to physical computing. There is really nothing like turning on an LED using code for the first time. At the end of the day everyone gathers together to come up with ideas of what they could do with the raspberry pi.

Day two is a hackathon. After partnering up with a few fellow educators who had similar project ideas, you build something. You are provided motors, sensors, cables, legos, and more! They sky’s the limit! At the end of the day everyone presents what they built and shares what they learned during the process. Then for the ceremony. This is when you become an official Raspberry Pi Certified Educator.

If this at all sounds interesting to you, APPLY! You have nothing to lose. You don’t have to be a super nerd to attend Picademy, you just need to have an open mind and be willing to challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid to fail, my group failed countless times when we built on project on Day 2. Failing is part of the process.

Picademy USA is offered at UC Irvine twice in June: once on the 19th and 20th, and again on the 22nd and 23rd. Application deadline for both sessions is April 27. Click here to get more information and to apply.