FREE Student Sessions! FREE professional development! FREE hardware!
STEELS-Aligned and Ready for the Classroom
Applications Close Feb 6th
Bringing STEELS to Life for Pennsylvania Educators
Tools, Training, and Student Experiences
The new Pennsylvania STEELS Standards represent an exciting shift in science education — but successfully integrating Environmental Literacy and Sustainability (ELS) requires thoughtful teacher training, strong student learning experiences, and robust classroom tools.
We know that teacher burnout is real, and few educators have the time or resources to master new technology on their own. That’s why Pittcon and CodeJoy have partnered with the Pennsylvania IU system to launch “Tech in the Wild” — a comprehensive, multi-modal initiative for teachers in Pennsylvania.
This program gives you a clear path forward. We provide the introductory classroom experiences, the right classroom tools (the versatile BBC micro:bit), the high quality professional development you need to confidently meet the STEELS Standards across the curriculum. We’re committed to making technology integration accessible, effective, and fun!
Live Student Shows!
Spring 2026
COMMITMENT LEVEL: Low
- CodeJoy Student Sessions: Engage your students and introduce yourself to robotics concepts through fun, free, live CodeJoy Student Shows. Nine different times available (Dec-Feb). Spots are limited — sign up now!
- Students join from computers or Chromebooks and learn to code the robots in the CodeJoy studio, LIVE! It’s like a live, interactive TV show built for the classroom!
Engaging Professional Development
February – March
COMMITMENT LEVEL: Medium
- Virtual, Flexible Sessions: This PD is virtual, meaning you can join from anywhere.
- Live Instruction: The instruction and the tech support is LIVE, so you’ll never get stuck.
- Hands-On Learning: CodeJoy’s sessions are HIGHLY hands-on and interactive. No lectures or slide presentations here! Expect to USE your micro:bit to do REAL classroom activities.
- STEELS-Aligned: These sessions will focus on using the micro:bit as the “Technology and Engineering” tool to address “Environmental Literacy and Sustainability” standards of the new STEELS framework.
- Act 48 credit hours provided for participation!
- Session Topics: Each session provides starting points for beginners, yet includes unique activities. This means, you can attend 1 session or all 6 sessions and receive different content (and Act 48 hours) at each one!
- Thurs 2/19, 4:30-7:30pm – Observation and Participation in Nature
- Tues 2/24, 5:00-8:00pm – Navigation Activities with the Micro:bit Compass
- Wed 3/4, 5:30-8:30 – Environmental Data Logging
- Wed 3/18, 4:30-7:30pm – Creating a Weather Alert Station using Radio
- Tues 3/24, 5:30-8:30pm – Bird Watching Walk (Step Counter)
- Thurs 3/26, 5:00-8:00 – Engineering with Micro:bit
FREE STEELS-Aligned Hardware
COMMITMENT LEVEL: Medium
The BBC micro:bit is an ideal tool for meeting the STEELS standards. Easy-to-use, with robust learning support materials, this palm-sized computing device can transform into a compass, a step counter, or an environmental sensor with 5 minutes of creative coding!
- Free Micro:bits: Participating teachers will receive two BBC micro:bit devices for personal use during training, allowing you to learn by doing.
- Lending Library Access: Learn how to easily access and utilize full class sets of micro:bits and other science technology available through your local Intermediate Unit (IU) Lending Library.
Thank you!
Please email hello@codejoy.org with any questions.