News News Release

Concordia Hosting Free Virtual NASA Coding Course for MN Teachers and Education Students

June 20, 2022

For more information:

Dr. Thelma Berquó/associate professor of physics
tberquo@cord.edu

Candace Harmon/Media Relations
charmon1@cord.edu

Concordia Hosting Free Virtual NASA Coding Course for MN Teachers and Education Students

Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., is offering a free NASA-in-the-classroom professional development activity course, Spheros in Science, for Minnesota K-12 teachers to integrate coding into their classroom curriculum. Classes run Aug. 1-5 and will be held virtually.

Participants will receive a free Sphero BOLT, a robotic ball that users can code to follow directions. In addition, they will have a complimentary one-year “All Access” Sphero pass to schedule personal training sessions with Sphero’s professional learning specialists.

No prior knowledge of coding or robotics is needed to participate in this workshop. All levels of experience, content knowledge, or grade level taught are welcome and encouraged to participate.

“Coding is an extremely important skill to have, no matter what field you’re in,” says course instructor Dr. Thelma Berquó, associate professor of physics. “It teaches kids problem-solving skills and helps them learn in a fun and engaging way.”  

Registration is open now at ConcordiaCollege.edu/Spheros. Students majoring in education will be wait-listed to give teachers priority. Participants also have the option to take the course for graduate credit.

Concordia College is a member of the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium, which is funding the course. MnSGC is part of the NASA-funded National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program.

Spheros in Science is being offered through Concordia’s Graduate & Continuing Studies program. Courses in K-12 education, language, accelerated nursing, pre-medical programs, social work, and other areas of professional development are taught year-round. Learn more at ConcordiaContinuingStudies.com.

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