Education Summit

In 2023, PyCon US will be holding its 11th annual Python Education Summit in person!

  • When: Thursday, April 20, 2023
  • Time: 9 am to 4 pm
  • Where: Salt Palace Convention Center - Room 151DEFG

The Summit is a gathering of teachers and educators focused on bringing coding literacy, through Python, to as many learners as possible. We invite educators from all venues to join the discussion, share insights, learn new techniques and tools, and share their passion for education. We are inviting educators from many venues: authors; PK-12 schools; colleges and universities; community-based workshops; online programs; and government. In addition to a wide array of engaging speakers, we will also create collaboration opportunities and hands-on learning sessions.

THEME

The theme for this year will be "Lessons Learned". The last three years have been a transformative time for Python education, with rapid advances in everything from self-paced and distance learning, to new Python language features, to continued growth in jobs requiring Python skills. Along the way, we have all learned a tremendous amount. These lessons could include, but are not limited to:

  • The new descriptive error messages in Python 3.10 and 3.11
  • Advancements in computer science pedagogy and learning delivery
  • Surprising experiences that turn into standard practices

You are welcome to freely interpret Lessons Learned!

PRESENTING

We will have a track of talks during the morning session and a series of collaboration and tutorial sessions during the afternoon. We invite anyone interested in Python and education to submit proposals. Talks/collaboration ideas will be selected by a review committee.

Talks: 20-minute talk + 5 minutes of questions (the schedule allows for an extra 5 minutes in case things run over)

Collaboration/tutorials: These will be 30-60 minute work sessions, designed by a proposer. These may include:

  • a working group to review/edit some open-source material
  • to outline the needs or structure for a specific set of best practices
  • forming a plan for ongoing
  • a short workshop on a tool or technique, etc.

Examples: using Python-based hardware for learning, reviewing modules or assessments in an open-access book, discussing best practices for certain teaching techniques, etc.

GOALS

The goal of the Summit is to bring together leaders from multiple educational venues to:

  • learn more about each other’s efforts
  • gain useful insight from each other
  • form connections that might foster future collaboration
  • identify common issues and begin discussing ways to address them
  • create an enhanced sense of unity, purpose, inclusion, and community among Python educators

It is our hope that the Summit will serve as a catalyst leading into the rest of PyCon US to encourage even more interaction - hallway discussions, open spaces, lightning talks, and sprints.

Anyone attending this summit will gain a broader understanding of approaches, issues, resources, and challenges in teaching Python. They will also have the opportunity to contribute to the discussion and make connections with other teachers of Python from across the community.

SCHEDULE AND FORMAT

The Education Summit takes place on Thursday, April 20th.

Our current schedule is below, all in Salt Lake City (Mountain) time:

Morning Session

  • 9:00 - Opening remarks
  • 9:15 - What a Great Software Engineer Intern Host Looks Like by Kir Chou
  • 9:45 - I ripped "Intro to Python Syntax" out of my Python Course, and I don't regret it by Chelsea Troy
  • 10:15 - Online training: Wins and Fails by Reuven Lerner
  • 10:45 - Coffee/Tea/Snack/Stretch Break
  • 11:00 - The Importance of the Aha! Moment by Kattni Rembor
  • 11:30 - Python for AI - How to Get Started by Nisha Talagala
  • 12:00 - Lunch Break

Afternoon session

  • 1:00 - Afternoon Welcome
  • 1:15 - Extended Sessions
    • Work Session: Making Sense of the Impact of AI on Teaching and Learning Python
    • Tutorial: Opportunities for citizen Eco learning & literacy using Python tools for Open Science
    • Workshop: Welcome to CircuitPython!
    • Hands-On: PyZombis: Creating a Massive Open Online & Serverless Course, Featuring PyGame & SQLite!
  • 3:00 - Lightning Talks
  • 4:00 - Closing

Informal social events to follow

WHAT TO EXPECT?

We encourage all attendees to engage in the dialogue. We are excited to hear your questions, see your ideas, and experience your passion for education and Python. So please come willing to learn, participate, and teach.

If you have questions, please contact us.