In this interview with Jorge Valenzuela, we discuss the importance of engineering in STEM, situating computational thinking within a problem, getting started with computational thinking and computer science, project-based learning, incorporating social and emotional learning (SEL) in the classroom, Jorge’s approach to professional development, and much more.

Click here for this episode’s show notes.

How to Get Started with Computer Science Education

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00:00 Intro

01:01 Jorge introducing himself

01:26 If Jorge were to write a story about his life, what would the chapters be?

04:50 What an engaging learning experience looks like

08:32 What is STEM to Jorge?

09:50 Where does CS and CT fit within STEM?

12:38 Where does creative expression fit within problem-solving?

17:52 What Jorge wishes more people understood about CT

19:06 Advice for getting started with CT

22:29 Why it's important to showcase failures as an educator

25:05 What Jorge wishes more educators understood about project-basd learning

26:17 When would (or wouldn't) Jorge encourage project-based learning

29:09 What is social and emotional learning (SEL)?

31:57 How to learn more about SEL

39:38 Jorge's approach to professional development

43:07 What's holding back educators and what can we do about it?

44:58 How Jorge prevents burnout

49:23 How Jorge iterates on his abilities

55:04 What do we need more research on?

58:42 Recommendations for equity and inclusion

01:01:04 How to connect with Jorge

01:01:27 Outro