May 20, 2024
Computer science department hosting keynote presentation June 7
The K-State computer science department is hosting the Summer 2024 KS CSTA Conference from June 5-8. As part of the conference, Todd Lash, director of computer science teacher education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, will give the keynote presentation.
Lash will present "Better Together: The Power of Community in Moving CS Education Forward" at 9 a.m. June 7 in Room 1109 of Engineering Hall.
Previously, Lash served for more than 20 years at the K–5 level in Illinois public schools as a teacher, school librarian and computer science instructional coach. He served as the lead standards writer for the K-5 grade band of the 2017 Computer Science Teachers Association, or CSTA, national standards, and as the lead computational practices writer for the K–12 CS Framework.
Lash was honored as an inaugural CSTA Equity Fellow in 2019 for his research work in developing pedagogical practices that empower students with disabilities in computer science education. As an established professional development provider, Lash has worked with districts across the country, including San Francisco public schools, New York City public schools and Chicago public schools. Lash has extensive curriculum development experience, having co-developed the Actions Fractions integrated CS+Mathematics curriculum with teachers and colleagues across multiple institutions. The state co-lead for the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance, Lash has dedicated himself to broadening participation in computing in Illinois and across the country.