+This year there are four independent CS4HS workshops running throughout New Zealand. Our conference in Christchurch is focused on the Computer Science and Programming Achievement standards, for teachers who are at beginner/intermediate level, so the discussions will be more focussed on getting started.
+ +The Victoria one would be more general, looking more at areas of computer science that are of general interest, even if they are outside the standards (this is the model used for CS4HS overseas, and gives a broader view of the topic, which would be more suitable for those already teaching the standards.) Unitec will be running a CS4HS workshop this year in Auckland, which is likely to cover mobile applications and devices, cyber-security, artificial intelligence, and robotics. In Dunedin, Google is funding teachers to learn some robotics, held at the University of Otago. Details for these conferences can be found at the links below.
+ +While the organisers of the three events will be working together to coordinate, the events will essentially be independent and covering different areas, so it's fine to apply to go to more than one (if you have the time!).
+ + ++ For those travelling to the conference from outside of Christchurch, accommodation is provided at University Hall. We organise all bookings and payments, so all you need to do is turn up! +
+ ++ If you are arriving at the beginning of a day, please do not check into your accommodation but come straight to the conference. We will look after your bags in a secure room and have them transported to the hall for you to pick up in the evening. At the end of the day you can head over to the University + Hall office and receive your room key. Wireless internet will be available in common areas (you will be provided with an account for internet access when you arrive.) +
+ ++ If you require a room with special requirements, we recommended booking at the Academy Motor Lodge (directly across the road from the conference), however we currently cannot cover the cost of these bookings. +
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+Join in the discussion on Twitter below.
+ +Welcome to the website for the Christchurch Computer Science for High Schools conference, at the University of Canterbury in December 2015. Our conference is focused on preparing for the computer science and programming achievement standards for NCEA. We have received funding through Google's CS4HS Grant Program for the event, and are planning to run the main conference over three days from the 2nd to 4th of December 2015, with optional programming workshops occurring on the 30th November and 1st December.
+ +The conference aims to cover:
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+ Conference in 2014
+What teachers said about our 2014 conference:
+"Thanks for an amazing conference. Having access to the people and resources means that I will be able to deliver the Computer Science standards in 2015. I still have a lot to learn and this kind of support is invaluable. It would be very difficult to implement the CS and programming standards without conferences like this one."
+"After the conference I'm becoming a 'Computer Science teacher' and I will grow every year. So, more of this CS4HS please. I will be back in 2015."
+This website will tell you everything you need to know about the conference including a full timetable of the conference, + information about transport and locations for the event, and useful links to materials you may find useful throughout the conference.
+ +This year the main conference will run over three days from the 2nd to 4th of December, with an optional 2 day workshop running before the conference (30th November to 1st December). If it's your first time attending the main conference starts at 9am on the Wednesday with a special introduction session. If you are a returning attendee, the conference starts at 10:30am, however you are welcome to arrive earlier to register and there will be room available in our "Hub" room to chat and relax. The conference also finishes officially with lunch on Friday, however an optional unconference event will be running for those with later flights.
+ +If you are looking for information about the Wellington or Auckland conferences, looking to contact us, or wanting to read the FAQ, you can find all this information on the about page.
+The following people are involved in CS4HS at Christchurch. This list will be updated as speakers confirm sessions.
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+ email - + @jackmorgannz - + website
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+ email - + @gmacmanus
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+ + Registrations will be sent out to those on the waiting list in August 2015 (add your name to the waitlist here). Funded places in this event are limited and first-in first-served so please add yourself to the waitlist as early as possible. It's ok to fine-tune parts of registration later e.g. changing the exact number of nights you'll be staying, contact Jack Morgan if you need to change your registration. +
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+ The main conference running from Wed - Fri focusing on the Computer Science and Programming NCEA standards.
+ Full catering and accommodation are included.
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+ This year we are also providing optional paid workshops before the conference in the following packages. See the workshops page for details about what programming workshops are available. +
+ +Optional programming workshops on Mon - Tues (30 Nov - 1 Dec) before the main conference. This ticket includes accommodation at University Hall on Monday and Tuesday night, but food is not provided as part of this package.
+Optional programming workshops on Mon - Tues (30 Nov - 1 Dec) before the main conference. Food is not provided on Monday/Tuesday as part of this package.
++ For those paying to attend programming workshops, our registration process accepts payment by credit card or we can invoice you the amount. Note that there is no refund and/or subsidy if you are unable to attend and do not inform us. If you do let us know about cancelling before the event, we will refund your ticket where possible (however admin fees still apply). See the Terms and Conditions on the registration site for more details. +
+ ++ You are able to express interest in attending our conference. Be aware this does not register you for the conference, but by filling out this form you will be given a chance to register before registrations are made public. +
+ Click here to express interest in attending + + +Throughout the conference, useful links or resources to materials from talks will be listed here.
+ +The year's main conference is split over three days from the 2nd to 4th of December. If it's your first time attending the conference starts at 9am on the Wednesday with a special introduction session. If you are a returning attendee, the conference starts at 10:30am, however you are welcome to arrive earlier to register and there will be room available to chat and relax (see locations). The conference also finishes officially with lunch on Friday, however an optional unconference event will be running for those with later flights.
+ +For those driving to the venue, parking is free but please park in the Fine Arts carpark (see the map). There is plenty of spaces available there (there is only a few spots at Erskine so please leave these for those with mobility issues).
+ +Please note we are unable to provide transport to and from the airport this year. Below are several options for transport to and from the venue (addresses are listed on the location page).
+ +The Number 3 Bus runs from the airport to the university regularly. The bus stop is to the far left when you exit outside the international arrivals terminal (see here), to the University Bus Stop which is between Erskine and University Hall (see the map above). A ticket to university costs less than $10, check the timetable/map here, and is only 10 minutes from the airport.
+ +Airport shuttles are a popular cheaper option, information on these is available here.
+ +Information on taxi services is available here. Approximate cost $30 to $45 from the airport, roughly $5 to $10 cheaper heading to the airport.
+ ++ This page provides more information about the three workshop streams happening throughout the conference. + When attending the conference, you will be able to choose a workshop in each stream to attend throughout + the conference that best suits your needs. If you are struggling to pick which workshop suits you, get + in contact with us and we can assist you in getting the most out of CS4HS. +
+ ++ Remember the Christchurch event is particularly focused on people who have no background, are teaching these topics for the first time, or would like to go over the basics really carefully. Therefore there are not many workshops aimed at the advanced end, but we would appreciate you helping out at other workshops if you feel up to it. Contact Jack Morgan if you are keen. +
+ +These workshops focus on learning the programming content and occur on the Monday and Tuesday before the conference. These are optional paid workshops ($140 without accommodation or $200 with accommodation), see the register page for more details.
+ +For those with absolutely no experience, programming concepts are taught gently using Scratch and Python at the same time. Intended for those with no programming experience, this session will mainly orient you around what is available, and give information on how to get up to speed in programming.
+For those who are ready to take on a text based programming language, Tanya will take you through an introduction to Python to the point where you have written several working programs. While programming takes weeks to learn properly, this will give you a good idea of what is involved, and pointers to what to do next to become confident with the language.
+For those who are looking for using JavaScript to learn programming concepts, Michael will take teachers through building games and apps with the Code Avengers material. These lessons are also suitable for digital media, or junior programming courses. Please bring headphones to this workshop to hear game sounds (this is optional).
+This workshop will cover important parts of achievement standard 2.41 (AS91368): "designing and constructing a database" with a well-organised table structure, relational database design, "using tools of the software to integrate data from a database...", and cover 3.41 (AS91633): "creating queries which combine data from multiple tables" (joins in SQL), and "creating queries which insert, update or delete to modify data" (CRUD). In addition to these we will write assessment, we will share number of database examples and we will build database solutions for them and will also share resources available to help teach databases to High School students.
+For those wishing to look at electronics and programming, this workshop will look at how to use the PICAXE Raspberry-Pi system for learning and NCEA assessments. This workshops primarily connects to the Electronics and Infrastructure standards.
+These workshops occur on the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during the conference. If you struggle to find a workshop that suits you best, get in contact with Jack Morgan or Tim Bell.
+ +For those who have never used the level 1 computer science standard before (1.44/AS91074) Caitlin will go over the purpose of this standard, investigate the topic, show some examples of how to get students engaged with the ideas in it, and cover the teacher assessment guides. Recommended for first timers.
+For those who have had an introduction to Computer Science and wish to cover level 1 and 2 (1.44/AS91074 and 2.44/AS91371) at a faster pace over the three days. Tim will cover the content, provide steps on how to teach concepts, and introduce the assessment guides.
+For those who are interested in level 3 (3.44/AS91636) come hear different experiences teachers have had with a variety of topics. We will also hear about report writing specifically for level 3. Do be aware that this session is different to previous years and focuses on teacher experiences, rather than teaching level 3 topics, as there is not enough time for this at CS4HS.
+These workshops focus on how to teach and assess programming for NCEA standards, and occur on the Wednesday and Thursday during the conference. If you struggle to find a workshop that suits you best, get in contact with Jack Morgan or Tim Bell.
+ +When students take on programming for the first time, a wide range of ideas and misconceptions arise. This course will look at key ideas that are important to get right, and also different approachs to teaching introductory concepts.
+What are some good approaches for teaching planning with programming? What makes a good assessment? What is programming style? We will discuss these questions and more in this workshop focusing on the level 2 and 3 standards.
+Cover the programming concepts of Python required for level 1 & level 2 using Code Avengers exercises. This workshop also has teachers trying lessons and practising exercises, and also covers using the Code Avengers teacher tools like class setup and marking.
+In the Unconference, attendees and presenters converge on topics of mutual interest that they would like to discuss or learn more about. It's also a chance to spend more time on topics from earlier sessions if there's interest. Information about available unconference streams will become available during the conference, and listed on the schedule page.
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