Programming Institute

The CodeVA Programming Institute is a high-intensity, in-person, three-day crash course designed to help educators prepare to teach coding in their classrooms.

The CodeVA Programming Institute is a high-intensity, in-person, three-day crash course designed to help educators prepare to teach coding in their classrooms. During the program, participants will work hands-on with programming languages, complete coding projects, and study lesson plans and curricular resources as they make a plan for providing high-quality coding instruction in their schools.

The 2025 CodeVA Programming Institute supports four programming tools/languages for participants to focus on during the course:

• Python, with a particular focus on creating command-line (i.e., text-based without graphics) programs
• Java using the Processing IDE, which focuses on creating visual art & games using a beginner-friendly graphics library
• Micro:Bit, using the MakeCode web-based editor (which supports writing code with block-based, Python, or Javascript languages). The Institute will provide Micro:Bits for educators to use during the program.
• Twine, a beginner-friendly, text-based web tool for creating interactive stories
• Javascript
• Scratch

At the beginning of the program, participants will learn the basics of coding pedagogy, explore instructional strategies to use with their students, and analyze the Computer Science Standards of Learning to identify developmentally appropriate skills students should learn in their classes.

During the program, participants will work with their chosen programming language to create a project, learning practical skills and developing fluency with their chosen tool. Finally, at the end of the program, participants will identify curricula and resources to extend their learning and support instruction through the academic year.
Successful completion of this course earns you 18 CEUs!

Objectives:

• Read, debug, analyze, and write simple programs in a programming tool of their choice (Python, Java with Processing, Micro:Bit, or Twine are currently supported)
• Facilitate coding instruction aligned to research-support best practices, including PRIMM, pair-programming, and live-code lectures
• Implement high-quality, standards-aligned coding curricula around a programming tool of their choice (Python, Java with Processing, Micro:Bit, or Twine are currently supported)
• Create engaging, responsive, and developmentally-leveled coding assignments and projects for their students