In honor of the 2019 Computer Science Education Week theme #CSforGood, CSTA has created a set of 10 posters that feature diverse people using computer science for good in diverse industries and ways — from helping the blind navigate their surroundings to creating art and discovering new medications.

 

Teachers can use these posters in a variety of ways to explore #CSforGood and inspire their students to consider how computer science can be leveraged to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Mariana PopescuKasra ManaviKatia VegaIsaac SesiTara Chklovski
Drew TrujilloKristy CarpenterKeith KirklandRumman ChowduryEmma Yang
Emma Yang Trading Card

Supplementary Resources

We have curated detailed information about each of these profiled people and their work. This information is available as both a digital resource that includes links to videos, articles, and other websites and as printable trading cards:

Digital Info Sheets
Trading Cards 

Trading cards formatted for printing:

  • standard trading card size: 2.5″ x 3.5″
  • larger version: 3.5″ x 5″

Instructional Guidance

Are you wondering how to use these posters and trading cards in your classroom? We’ve got you covered! 

 

Quick Implementation

Introduce one or two people each day during CSEdWeek by watching and discussing the short videos we have curated. You could also explore the UN Sustainable Development Goals, play a simple game to learn about each of the people using the trading cards, or complete a simple scavenger hunt while learning about all of the people on the posters.

Curated Videos & Discussion Questions
How to Introduce and Use the Trading Cards
Scavenger Hunt

Full Lesson

If you have more time available, consider one of these ideas:

  • Quiz Game: Challenge your students to create quiz games about one or more leaders in CS. See this example project, guidance for creating quiz games in Scratch, and sprite library featuring many diverse leaders in CS, courtesy of Bill Marsland (CSinSF). 
  • Research: Ask your students to choose one of the featured people and conduct research, using the resources provided in the digital info sheets. Then, prompt them to create an artifact (e.g., poster, Scratch project, program) and/or prepare a short presentation to share how this person uses CS for good.
  • Additional Posters or Trading Cards: Challenge your students to create their own original poster or trading card featuring another person who uses CS for good. They should choose an industry or application that aligns with their interests, passions, or future careers.
  • Extension Learning: Check out one or more of these CS project ideas or tutorials for great extension learning. Topics include mobile app development, art integration with CS, detecting moisture, accessibility, and artificial intelligence.

Extension Learning Activities (CS Projects)  

Discussion

Play this video (26:30) featuring five experts discussing their diverse experience using CS for good at the 2019 CSEdWeek kickoff event on Dec. 9, 2019 in Sante Fe, NM.

Suggested discussion questions:

  • What are some interesting or surprising ways that people use computer science for good?
  • What might happen to solutions and programs if only the same kind of person studied computer science?
  • What problems in your own life that could be solved or helped using computer science?

More Discussion Prompts

Reach out!

We would love to hear from you! Tell us (or even better, show us!) how you use these resources in your classroom. Tweet @csteachersorg with #CSforGood or email membership@csteachers.org.