Computer Science Accelerator in the Summer

02 July 2020

Are you looking to ⚡️supercharge⚡️ your computer science knowledge over the summer? We've got you covered.

Grab a deck chair, fire up your computer, and join us for a summer of learning.  

What is CSA in the Summer?

  • 6 weeks of curated courses to help teachers get ready for the September restart  
  • Two tracks to follow: new and advanced learners (see below)
  • Teachers of all subject backgrounds are welcome
  • Online courses: start at any time and learn at your own pace
  • Remote Taught courses: multi-day, live training courses, taught by our subject experts. Each course will run multiple times throughout the summer
  • Get up to £920 of bursary funding for your school or college
  • Receive a professionally-recognised certificate for your training through our Computer Science Accelerator programme

Track 1: New to computing

Join this track if you are a teacher who is new to computing and you want to build a strong set of core skills to use in your classroom.

A PDF of the track is also available to download here.

Remote taught courses

🏃‍♂👩‍💻⌨ Introduction to algorithms, programming and data in GCSE computer science

New to computing? Take your first steps towards teaching this high demand subject at GCSE. This live, interactive course will give you a comprehensive introduction to the curriculum. You’ll create some simple block-based computer programs and discover how to implement them in Python.

🔌📳🔒 Introduction to computer systems, networking and security in GCSE computer science

What technologies are used to connect machines and to share data? How do computers communicate with each other? How do I learn more about security risks reported in the news? Build your knowledge while learning about the different components of computer hardware that students need to be safe and responsible web citizens.

Online courses

🎛️ 🖥️ 🔢 Programming 101: an introduction to python for educators

New to computing? Take your first steps to becoming a computer programmer with Programming 101! In this 4 week course, you will cover the basic rules of programming, how to avoid common errors, and write your FIRST CODE in the programming language Python. You can also share your learnings with students in your own lessons in September!

🔓 🤔 👩‍💻 Impact of technology: how to lead classroom discussions

What is the cultural impact of social media on the modern world? How will automation change our lives? What are the legal issues surrounding cyber security? This course on the impact of technology will help you build the skills necessary to have engaging and meaningful discussions with your students on the ethical, legal, cultural, and environmental impacts of technology.

Get ready for a summer of computing with our awesome programme of curated courses.

Track 2: Advanced GCSE computer science

Join this track if you are a teacher who is familiar with computing and you want to learn new skills to use in your classroom.

A PDF of the track is also available to download here.

Remote taught Courses

🐍💪 Python programming: working with data

Progress your knowledge beyond the fundamentals of Python programming. Guided by our expert facilitators, this course will give you hands-on experience and the chance to explore subroutines, work with lists and arrays, and become adept at debugging program code.

Online courses

🚀 🔧 Design and prototype embedded computer systems

Take your summer project to the next level! Over the course of three weeks, explore how embedded systems are used in the world around us, learn practical activities to decompose problems, and write algorithms to develop your ideas in this exciting course. We can’t wait to see what you create!

👩‍💻 ☀️ Programming with GUIs

Get GUI-ing this summer: on this practical course, you will learn how to incorporate more interactivity into your programmes, experiment with different types of widgets, AND put everything you’ve learnt into practice using the guizero library!

📌 🎛️ Introduction to databases and SQL

From search engines to social media, databases underpin just about everything in computing. In this three week course, you will take your first steps in using databases and SQL, learn the difference between spreadsheets and databases, the role of primary keys, and apply relationships to tables within a database.