CS4NE

This crossover episode discusses using AI-generated video for instructional purposes and student projects. Kimberly and Guy show short AI-generated Revolutionary War news clips, then use them to highlight the importance of strong prompting, historical accuracy, media literacy, and ethical concerns. Key takeaways include that AI videos are currently short, sometimes inaccurate, and can be costly to...

This CS4NE episode shares unplugged critical-thinking activities that help students practice problem solving beyond coding. Kimberly highlights social deduction puzzles, where students use yes-or-no questions to uncover a hidden story, and rebus puzzles, which challenge students to interpret words and images creatively. The episode emphasizes metacognition, efficient questioning, flexible thinking...

This CS4NE episode highlights unplugged computer science activities that build problem-solving, creativity, communication, and teamwork without using computers. Kimberly shares a cup-stacking challenge using cups, string, and rubber bands, where students must collaborate under increasing constraints, and an index-card challenge where students figure out how to cut a small card so it can fit over s...

This CS4NE episode explores digital footprints through photo metadata and cybersecurity awareness. Kimberly demonstrates how images can contain hidden EXIF metadata, including device information, timestamps, camera settings, and even exact GPS coordinates, showing how much personal information can travel with a photo. The episode highlights how this lesson can help students think critically about...

This crossover episode of AI in the Classroom and CS4NE explores how teachers can help students use AI for more than simple search. Kimberly and Guy discuss using AI role-play activities, such as having students “interview” a hexagon, the element mercury, or a historical figure, to make content more interactive and engaging. They emphasize the importance of teacher-created guardrails, structured p...

In this episode of CS4NE , Kimberly Ingraham-Beck shares engaging classroom activities focused on password security, cyber hygiene, and real-world data breaches. She walks through tools like Security.org’s password checker and HaveIBeenPwned to help students explore password strength and understand the risks of reused or weak passwords. Using hands-on experiments, visualizations, and discussions,...

In this episode of CS4NE , Kimberly Ingraham-Beck and Guy Trainin explore fun and engaging ways to teach encryption in the classroom. They showcase a range of hands-on activities, including a murder mystery puzzle using classic ciphers like Pigpen, Polybius Square, Atbash, and Caesar. The episode also highlights Code.org resources and widgets for teaching the Vigenère and random substitution ciphe...

In this episode of CS4NE , Kimberly Ingraham-Beck and Guy Trainin share quick, engaging activities for computer science classrooms—perfect for short class periods or days before school breaks. They discuss a digital escape room from the University of Alabama at Huntsville, a hands-on binary bingo game that reinforces number systems, and the interactive “AI for Oceans” activity from Code.org, which...

In this episode of CS4NE , hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck speak with retired elementary teacher and UNO instructor Paul Clark about his lifelong passion for integrating technology and robotics into the classroom. Paul reflects on his 40+ years in education, from the early days of Apple II computers to hands-on projects with 3D printers, micro:bits, and custom-designed robots. He shar...

In this episode of CS4NE , Kimberly Ingraham-Beck interviews Shaun Young from the Nebraska Department of Education about the state’s efforts to support computer science education. Shaun shares updates on professional development initiatives with CodeHS, the new 6-credit supplemental endorsement for computer science, and upcoming revisions to standards and annual reporting requirements. The convers...

In this episode of CS4NE , hosts Kimberly Ingraham-Beck and Guy Trainin interview Abby Langner from Westside High School about the power of physical computing in the computer science classroom. Abby explains how tools like robots, micro:bits, and peripherals can help students engage in hands-on learning that connects coding to real-world applications. She offers practical advice for teachers looki...

In this solo episode of CS4NE , Dr. Guy Trainin addresses the growing question: “Why teach computer science in the age of AI?” He presents three compelling reasons—understanding the AI-driven world, gaining cross-disciplinary skills, and developing essential computational thinking. Guy explains that while AI can assist with code generation, deep understanding of coding, algorithms, and data remain...

In this solo episode of CS4NE , host Kimberly Ingraham-Beck shares her journey into cybersecurity education and why it has become one of her biggest passions. She highlights the critical demand for cybersecurity professionals, explores free classroom-ready resources from Cyber.org, TeachCyber.org, and CodeHS, and recommends professional learning opportunities like free bootcamps and certificates....

In this episode of CS4NE , hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck interview Jeff Ingraham, longtime educator and COO of Prairie STEM, about his decades-long work integrating technology and robotics into classrooms. Jeff shares how tools like Micro:bits, Dash and Dot, and Bee-Bots can be used across grade levels to teach coding through physical computing. He emphasizes the power of hands-on l...

This kickoff episode of CS4NE introduces hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck as they preview the season’s focus on supporting computer science education across Nebraska. They discuss upcoming topics like physical computing, gamified learning, and pedagogy, and emphasize the importance of continuing CS instruction in the age of AI. Kimberly shares her personal experience feeling isolated a...

In this episode of CS4NE , hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck interview Lucas Hartman, an instructor at Metropolitan Community College and former high school computer science teacher. Lucas discusses the curriculum he developed for the Nebraska Department of Education to support the state’s new computer science graduation requirement. The course includes six engaging, hands-on modules th...

In this episode of CS4NE , hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck check in with Jamie Schluter, a business teacher from Southern High School who is teaching computer science for the first time. Jamie candidly shares the challenges of stepping into a new subject area, including time management, grading, and unfamiliar content, while also highlighting her growing confidence and enjoyment of to...

In this episode of CS4NE , hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck interview Adam Schwaninger, a former middle school art teacher who successfully transitioned into high school computer science instruction. Adam shares how his background in art fosters creativity and problem-solving in his CS classroom and discusses the challenges of learning new content and coding languages. He emphasizes th...

In this episode of CS4NE, hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck speak with Kristeen Shabram, a veteran middle school computer science teacher at Westside Middle School in Omaha. Kristeen shares her passion for engaging students by connecting CS to real-world careers and emphasizing foundational skills like problem solving and debugging. She highlights the importance of allowing students to...

In this episode of CS4NE , hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck interview Abby Langner, a computer science teacher at Westside High School, who shares her journey from industry to education and her insights on implementing paired programming in the classroom. Abby discusses the importance of introducing students to defined collaborative roles before diving into pair programming and emphasi...

In this episode of CS4NE , hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck speak with Zaid Kakish and Tom Knudsen, student leaders from Nullify, a student-run cybersecurity club at the University of Nebraska Omaha. The guests share their experiences in cybersecurity, their passion for hands-on learning, and the goals of Nullify, which include making cybersecurity accessible and fun through events lik...

In this episode of CS4NE , Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck sit down with Anthony Kava, a digital forensics expert and deputy with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office, to explore the critical role of cybersecurity in today's digital landscape. Anthony shares his journey into cybersecurity, his work in cyber forensics and crime investigations, and practical advice for educators and stud...

This episode of CS4NE features an engaging conversation with Jamie Schluter, a teacher from Southern Public Schools in Nebraska, as she shares her journey of integrating computer science into her curriculum for the first time. Jamie discusses her strategies for adapting to the new Nebraska graduation requirements for computer science education, the resources she’s leveraging, and her approach to l...

In this episode of "CS4NE - Computer Science for Nebraska," hosts Guy Trainin and Kimberly Ingraham-Beck interview Tiffiny Widdifield, a seasoned educator from Minden Public Schools. With over 21 years of teaching experience, Tiffiny shares her journey of integrating computer science into K-6 education in small Nebraska districts. She discusses the challenges and strategies of meeting new CS stand...

This episode of CS4NE features an insightful conversation with Shonna Dorsey from the Aksarben Foundation, discussing the Intern Nebraska program. Shonna shares details about the initiative's goal to connect Nebraska students with high-quality, paid internship opportunities across the state in tech and other high-demand fields. The program, supported by a $20 million grant, fosters collaboration b...