First ever NoVA ScratchEd Meetup!

Are you an educator in the NoVA area who is excited about teaching with Scratch computer programming? If so, join us for the very first NoVA ScratchEd Meetup!

All educators are welcome! Regardless of your educational setting (school, library, museum, etc.), grade level you work with (Scratch is used by learners of all ages), or your experience with Scratch (complete beginner to seasoned Scratcher) -- you are invited to participate.

Scratch is a programming language and an online community where you can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation. Scratch is a free tool that is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab. With Scratch, students build important skills in creative and critical thinking, as well as in computational and mathematical concepts. Plus, Scratch is engaging, collaborative, and fun! To learn more about teaching with Scratch, check out the Scratch For Educators page at https://scratch.mit.edu/educators and take a look at the new Scratch in Practice site at https://sip.scratch.mit.edu with ideas and materials from educators all over the world.

ScratchEd Meetups are informal, participatory professional learning experiences that are organized as “unconferences.” In a ScratchEd Meetup, educators make, learn, share, and connect with others around the topic of creative computing. Specifically, the Meetup will include:
~ Sharing favorite ways to integrate Scratch into instruction
~ Self-organizing into small groups based on interests
~ Exploring and creating with Scratch through hands-on activities
~ Learning about the newest features in Scratch 3.0 such as extensions

The Meetup will take place at the Thinkabit Lab at Virginia Tech National Capital Region https://www.thinkabitlab.com/virginiatech, located just beside the West Falls Church Metro. Parking is available at the Metro as well as on campus ($3 fee in either location).

Other than parking, participation is free. Food will be served, and certificates of participation will be provided. We hope to see you there!