Nextech

📣 Calling all K–5 educators! 📚✨

Want to bring computer science and AI into your classroom in fun, meaningful ways? Join us for Integrating CS Using Code.org and AI in Your K–5 Classroom on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM ET — a hands-on virtual workshop designed just for you!

👩‍🏫 What you’ll get:
✨ Strategies for weaving CS and AI concepts into ANY subject area
🤖 Age-appropriate ways to introduce foundational AI ideas like data, pattern recognition, fairness, and bias
🛠️ Classroom-ready unplugged and digital activities to build computational thinking
🧠 A concrete plan you can use with your students right away!

💰 Plus, attendees receive 6 PGP points and are eligible for a $100 incentive — all at no cost!

👉 Register now and empower your students to explore the world of computing with confidence! https://studio.code.org/professional-learning/workshops/16067

🎳 Bowling for Bandwidth = Big Wins for Catapult! 🎳

What a fantastic night at Nextech’s Bowling for Bandwidth fundraiser! Thanks to nearly 70 bowlers—including past Catapult students, board members, and friends of Nextech—we raised critical support for our Catapult program, helping students build real-world tech and professional skills.

A special shoutout to our winning team from KPMG 🏆 and to everyone who showed up, cheered loudly, and made the evening so much fun. Your support helps fuel opportunities for students to explore careers in technology and prepare for what’s next.

📸 Check out a few highlights from the night below!

💙 Want to support Catapult but couldn’t attend? You can still make an impact! Donations of any size help us expand access to hands-on, career-connected learning experiences for students.

👉 Donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/central-indiana-community-foundation-inc

Thank you for being part of a community that believes in investing in students and their futures!

Nextech is hosting two more professional development workshops before the end of April—designed to help educators build confidence with computer science and AI, no matter where you’re starting from.

✨ Upcoming Workshops:

AI Literacy for Educators – Build foundational understanding of AI and explore classroom-ready strategies

Getting Started with Code.org – A beginner-friendly introduction to teaching computer science

✔️ Hands-on
✔️ Classroom-focused
✔️ Perfect for educators new to CS and those looking to expand their skills

Spots are limited—register now and finish the school year with tools you can use right away!

Check out https://nextech.org/educators/teacher-education/events/ to learn more details and register

🎉 Today is National AI Literacy Day—and we’re celebrating by launching something new!

In recognition of the growing importance of AI literacy for students and educators alike, Nextech is excited to announce our Month of AI Webinar Series, happening all throughout April.

This free, educator-focused series features one-hour webinars led by K–12 teachers and national experts, designed to deepen your understanding of AI and help you explore practical, classroom-ready tools. Sessions span elementary through high school, cover topics like AI as a thinking partner, ethics, literacy, prompting, and critical thinking—and PGP points are awarded for every session.

📅 Join us for one webinar or the entire month
👩‍🏫 Open to all educators
🧠 Grounded in real classroom practice

Let’s build AI literacy—together.

Looking for a fun, free way to build your confidence teaching computer science in your classroom? Join Nextech for one of our upcoming professional development workshops.

AI LITERACY FOR EDUCATORS
During this 2-part virtual workshop, teachers will receive a fundamental understanding of AI including awareness of the ethics and implications, AI problem solving and how to use AI for themselves and their students.

March 30th & April 1st (5:00 - 7:00 EST)
Regsiter at https://formstack.io/D9151

INTEGRATING CS USING CODE.ORG AND AI IN YOUR K-5 CLASSROOM
During this 2-part virtual workshop, participants will explore the importance of CS and AI, learn how to implement Code.org’s CS Connections, and leave with a concrete plan to engage their students in meaningful computing experiences.

March 31st & April 2nd (4:00 - 6:00 EST)
Register at https://studio.code.org/professional-learning/workshops/16066

🎉 Calling all K-5 educators! Ready to bring computer science into your classroom with confidence and joy? 🧠💻

Join our Code.org CS Fundamentals professional development workshop — 100% FREE! Hosted by Nextech, this engaging virtual experience is designed especially for teachers new to computer science and the 2023 Indiana CS Standards.

✨ What you’ll get:
✅ Intro to computer science concepts
✅ Strategies for teaching “unplugged” CS activities (no devices needed!)
✅ Walkthrough of the online curriculum & teacher dashboard
✅ Support and resources to help you teach Code.org CS Fundamentals to K-5 students with confidence

Upcoming dates and registration links:

March 23/March 25 Registration Link - https://studio.code.org/professional-learning/workshops/16029

March 30/April 1 Registration Link - https://studio.code.org/professional-learning/workshops/16030

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, tech/resource teacher, or media specialist — this workshop will equip you with the tools and confidence to bring impactful computing experiences to your youngest learners. 💡🧑‍🏫

Let’s inspire the next generation of thinkers and creators — one lesson at a time! 🚀

Time is running out to get your students' teams registered for Nextech Stats Showdown!!! Sign up today to ensure everyone is ready come Selection Sunday!

Do your students have what it takes to win Nextech’s Stats Showdown? This competition introduces Hoosier students to the exciting world of data science and data analytics through college basketball and the NCAA Tournament. No matter what grade level your students are, there is a fun way for them to engage.

To learn more and sign up, visit https://nextech.org/students/stats-showdown/

🚀 New to teaching computer science? We’ve got you covered! 🚀

Join Nextech on March 9, 2026 for Getting Started with Code.org, a free professional development workshop designed to help K-12 educators confidently bring computer science into their classrooms—no prior experience required! 💻✨

In this hands-on session, you’ll:
✅ Explore the Code.org platform and curriculum
✅ Learn how to get started with CS in your classroom
✅ Discover engaging, age-appropriate activities
✅ Walk away ready to teach computer science with confidence

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, media specialist, or instructional coach, this workshop is the perfect first step into CS education.

Register today: https://bit.ly/4csMvoq

Do your students have what it takes to win Nextech’s Stats Showdown? This competition introduces Hoosier students to the exciting world of data science and data analytics through college basketball and the NCAA Tournament. No matter what grade level your students are, there is a fun way for them to engage.

To learn more and sign up, visit https://nextech.org/students/stats-showdown/

Make your plans for February 23rd & 25th to join Nextech for CS Fundamentals, a free professional development workshop designed to help elementary educators confidently teach computer science—no prior experience required.

In this hands-on session, you’ll explore the Code.org CS Fundamentals curriculum, learn engaging “unplugged” and online activities, and gain practical strategies aligned to Indiana Computer Science Standards. You’ll walk away with ready-to-use lessons and the confidence to start (or strengthen) computer science in your classroom right away.

Whether you’re a classroom teacher, media specialist, or instructional coach, this workshop will equip you with the tools to make CS accessible and engaging for every student.

Register today - https://bit.ly/4kxWI4S

🚀 Ready to take your district’s computer science plan to the next level? Join our SCRIPT: Computer Science Implementation Workshop on Feb 24, 2026!

This free virtual session helps district teams collaboratively build a strategic, actionable CS education plan — complete with 3-, 6-, and 12-month goals, a shared vision statement, and regional partner connections.

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Zoom
💡 Who should attend: District administrators, school leaders, CS teachers & instructional partners working together to shape CS education.

👉 Register now for this powerful planning experience: https://bit.ly/4qkJHwS