Rock CS 2025 | Rocky Mountain Computer Science Conference for P-12 Educators: Full Schedule

Rock CS is a professional development event designed by Adams 12 Five Star Schools and St. Vrain Valley School District.

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TBA

AI and the Law: What Do Educators Need to Know

Sunday June 8, 2025 TBA

The session, led by an educator & attorney, will explore legal implications and complexities related to AI in schools. We will discuss privacy concerns, data protection, and compliance with COPPA and FERPA. We will look at some tools educators can use.

Speakers

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth

Spanish and STEAM Teacher, Consultant, Riverview SD and ThriveinEDU LLC

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth is an edtech consultant, presenter, attorney, author, and teacher of Spanish and STEAM: Emerging Technology. Rachelle has a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law, a Master’s, and a Doctorate in Instructional Technology. Rachelle specializes... Read More →

Sunday June 8, 2025 TBA

1-hour presentation

Intended Audience P-2 teachers, 3-5 teachers, 6-8 teachers, 9-12 teachers, Administrators
Skill Level BEGINNER: Limited or no experience or prior topic knowledge; no prerequisite skills required.
Topic Artificial Intelligence (AI) including Machine Learning, Cybersecurity / NSA

TBA

Hands On Computer Science with LEGO Education

Sunday June 8, 2025 TBA

Join us to explore how LEGO Education can support Coloroado Computer Science in the classroom. Attendees will experience how hands-on computer science activities can enhance cross-curricular learning in this interactive session. Together, we’ll demonstrate how integrating coding, computational thinking, and digital literacy into various subjects boosts critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, while reinforcing core concepts in math, science, and literacy.

Discover the benefits of hands-on learning, where students actively engage with technology to build deeper understanding and retention. You'll gain practical strategies for incorporating these approaches into your curriculum, making lessons more interactive and relevant.

Key Takeaways:
• Benefits of cross-curricular computer science integration
• Advantages of hands-on learning in skill development
• Practical examples and strategies for classroom use
• Resources to support implementation and sample bricks to take home!

Speakers

Danna Hollander

Account Manager, Lego Education

Danna Hollander is the Colorado Key Account Manager for LEGO Education. She supports districts around the state with hands-on learning that supports engagement, combats absenteeism and builds college and career ready skills.

Sunday June 8, 2025 TBA

1-hour presentation

Intended Audience P-2 teachers, 3-5 teachers, 6-8 teachers, Administrators
Skill Level BEGINNER: Limited or no experience or prior topic knowledge; no prerequisite skills required.
Topic CTE, Maker Activities, Programs and Spaces, Physical Computing/Robotics
Device Compatibility Chromebook, Mac Computer, Windows Computer

TBA

Learning AI through Self-Driving Cars

Sunday June 8, 2025 TBA

In this workshop you will experience our innovative unit, Self Driving Cars. Incorporate AI, computer science, and a compelling social issue into your computer science or STEM classroom. The unit uses research-based teaching routines proven to promote equity, engage students and increase student agency in the classroom. During the workshop you will participate in hands-on unit activities as well as review this freely available curriculum. The unit includes advanced programming with MakeCode, an exploration of AI classifiers and much more. You will leave ready to implement our high quality unit with your students allowing them to develop expertise in AI. You will also have authentic student assessments to accompany the unit.

Speakers

Jeffrey Bush

Asst. Research Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

Jeff is an assistant research professor at the University of Colorado's Institute of Cognitive Sciences (ICS). Jeff's research focuses on the intersection of technology, STEM teacher learning and professional development with sub-topics of mathematics education, computational thinking... Read More →

Gregory Benedis-Grab

Director of K-12 Computing and AI intiatives, University of Colorado Boulder

Greg is the director of K-12 Computing & AI Initiatives at the Institute of Cognitive Science at University of Colorado Boulder. He is leading the scaleup of K-12 Computing and AI curriculum and professional development nationally. Previously, Greg worked in schools as a teacher and... Read More →

Sunday June 8, 2025 TBA

1-hour presentation

Intended Audience 6-8 teachers, 9-12 teachers, Administrators
Skill Level BEGINNER: Limited or no experience or prior topic knowledge; no prerequisite skills required.
Topic Artificial Intelligence (AI) including Machine Learning, Computational Thinking, STEM Integration
Device Compatibility Chromebook, Mac Computer, Windows Computer

TBA

Protecting the world from Bifrost, a cybersecurity escape room

Sunday June 8, 2025 TBA

We would like to have teachers participate in an interactive experience, learning the building blocks of cybersecurity knowledge that they can take into their classroom. After some activities we will have them complete the cybersecurity escape room. This is a portable activity that teachers can use and customize to meet their classroom activities and reinforces student learning and assimilation of knowledge to apply it in a real-world scenario. This workshop would cover binary, cyphers, steganography, and cyber ethics and concepts in hands on activities.

Speakers

Gretchen Bliss

Director of Cybersecurity Programs, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Gretchen is the Director of Cybersecurity Programs at UCCS and leads national efforts to support early-career faculty through mentorship and collaboration.

Terri Johnson

Sunday June 8, 2025 TBA

2-hour workshop

Intended Audience 6-8 teachers, 9-12 teachers, Administrators
Skill Level BEGINNER: Limited or no experience or prior topic knowledge; no prerequisite skills required.
Topic Cybersecurity / NSA, Equity and Inclusion, Classroom Practice / Pedagogy / Instructional Strategies