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"If we're going to adapt to the current moment, we need to chip away at the transactional model of education. This means rethinking grading." Spotlight on AlaskaASTE Annual iDidaContestThe ASTE iDidaContest is a 25+ year Alaska tradition celebrating creativity, storytelling, and digital innovation in education. Each year, students, educators, and school communities from across the state submit original digital projects that showcase learning through media, design, technology, and communication. From multimedia storytelling and video production to interactive creations and digital publishing, the iDidaContest highlights the incredible ways Alaska's learners and educators use technology to amplify voice, demonstrate understanding, and share their stories. The contest honors excellence across grade levels and roles, recognizing not only technical skill but also creativity, originality, and meaningful learning connections. This year's iDidaContest Winners Book is a celebration of the outstanding projects selected by our judges. Each entry reflects the innovation, resilience, and imagination of our students and educators. We are proud to showcase their work and grateful for the dedication of teachers, mentors, and families who support these learning experiences. View the 2026 iDidaContest Winners 
iDidaMoment High School Winner: "Teaser Trailer of The Queen's Knights" by Elizabeth Garcia, FBNSBSD - an animated, original short feature Share What's Happening in Your Community!We want to shine a light on the exciting computer science and digital literacy initiatives happening across Alaska. Are your students building an innovative app? Is your school hosting a coding event, or are you integrating new technology in the classroom? Let us know what's happening in your corner of the state, and you could be featured in a future newsletter. Curriculum CornerChanging the Game: Using AI Fairly and Responsibly in Sports (Ages 11+)This unit uses real-world sports examples to help students examine how AI systems collect data, identify patterns, and make decisions across fairness, safety, strategy, performance, and media, while engaging students in critical discussions about bias, privacy, and ethics. The Cognitive Card Game (Ages 11+)In just a few minutes, students learn that AI can help with ideas, but humans are still responsible for thinking, creativity, and final decisions. MIT Research shared in the activity shows that relying too much on AI can reduce original thinking, while doing some work ourselves keeps our brains active and engaged. This activity allows students to think critically about this important topic. Me, Myself, and AI (Grades 3-12)Me, Myself, and AI is part of a national initiative for students in grades 3-12 to creatively explore artificial intelligence. This project challenges students to engage with AI and create two pieces of visual artwork: one depicting their community today and one imagining it 50 years in the future. Selected student artists will have the opportunity to showcase their original works at the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in July 2026. Deadline: March 31, 2026 Understanding Deepfakes: Classroom ResourcesIn response to growing concerns about deepfakes and AI-generated imagery affecting young people, here is a curated set of lesson plans and resources for educators. Research shows that 31 percent of young people are familiar with deepfake nudes, and girls account for 99 percent of the victims. These resources help students understand, identify, and critically evaluate AI-manipulated media.
CTE Computer Science PathwaysAs showcased in the DEED 2026 Perkins Workshop, this resource provides information about Computer Science pathways, including curriculum, associated CTSOs, and implementation resources for your district. Looking to start up a CTE Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or Digital Media pathway? This is your starting point. Interactive Resource DatabaseWant to explore more resources, lessons, and curriculum related to AI, CS, and Digital Literacy? Check out this interactive database of curated resources aligned to grade levels, subject areas and resource types. Upcoming EventsG4C Student Challenge | International Game Design Competition
The G4C Student Challenge, is an international game design competition that invites youth to create social impact games as well as original artwork. The program develops coding and digital design skills, problem solving, collaboration, creativity, and other critical skills to prepare young people for jobs in the gaming and technology sectors. The Challenge is also a platform for amplifying student voices, empowering young people to imagine creative solutions to social problems, and to see themselves as engaged citizens and changemakers. Deadline to submit is March 30, 2026 T3 Alaska Summer Programs - Applications Open
T3 Alaska offers two immersive, residential summer programs for 2026: Energy, Storytelling & Cybersecurity (May 25–June 5) and Introduction to T3 Alaska (June 8–19). Both 12-day programs blend growth mindset, design thinking, hands-on technology, and community-based projects—giving students the chance to explore career pathways, build real-world skills, connect with community partners, and earn UAF T3 badge certifications. Application Window: January 5 - March 14, 2026 ANSEP Acceleration Academy (Statewide Summer)
The ANSEP Acceleration Academy is a 5-week residential summer program hosted at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) campus from May 23 – June 27, 2026. High school students from across Alaska live on campus while taking college courses in math, science, or Alaska Native studies — earning between 3-6 college credits. Students benefit from hands-on STEM modules, team building exercises, field trips, career exploration, professional networking, collaborative study sessions, and scholarship opportunities. Students can participate in multiple Acceleration Academy sessions throughout their high school years. Application Deadline: March 20, 2026 2026 Global AppathonThe App Inventor Foundation and MIT App Inventor are excited to announce that registration is open for the 2026 Global Appathon! This no-cost, virtual hackathon encourages people of all ages to use MIT App Inventor to build mobile apps for a cause. This year's theme is based on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Winners will be invited to present their projects at the Global Education Summit at MIT on July 6-8, 2026. There are six award categories:
Key Dates: Register and learn more | Download the flyer National AI Literacy Day is March 27th!
National AI Literacy Day, observed annually, is a nationwide initiative that helps students, educators, and communities understand artificial intelligence, its ethical use, and its impact on daily life.
News & OpportunitiesFree AI Certification Training for High School TeachersThe National Association of AI in the Classroom (NAAIC) is offering free CompTIA AI Essentials and AI Prompting Essentials training specifically designed for high school teachers. This professional opportunity helps educators build foundational AI skills and earn industry-recognized certifications. Apply by: March 11, 2026 YLACES Environmental Research GrantsWhat prevents you and your students from conducting environmental research? Is it access to scientific measurement equipment, transportation for field work, substitute teachers, or mentoring? Let Youth Learning as Citizen Environmental Scientists (YLACES) help you overcome barriers to students progressing from taking environmental observations to doing environmental research. Educators and organizations in the United States may apply for grants of up to $1,500 for instruments and supplies to facilitate youth environmental research and data collection, or grants of up to $5,000 for local student research symposia. Apply by: March 31, 2026 U.S. Department of Labor AI Literacy FrameworkThe U.S. Department of Labor has released an Artificial Intelligence Literacy Framework to help guide workforce development around AI skills. This resource is valuable for educators thinking about how to prepare students for careers in an AI-integrated economy. Raspberry Pi Foundation: CS Teachers Needed for ResearchThe Raspberry Pi Foundation is developing new features for an online coding product and wants to hear from CS teachers (ages 9-14) who currently use block-based coding in their teaching (e.g. Scratch). Join a 30-minute video call to share your feedback. Sessions are scheduled around your availability, and as a thank you, they are offering a $25 (or equivalent) virtual gift card. Professional DevelopmentUnlocking the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in EducationThe Alaska Staff Development Network is offering a fully asynchronous, 3-credit course (ED 565) on AI in education. What do autocorrect, Siri, traffic navigation, and your "watch next" list have in common? They're all examples of how we use Artificial Intelligence every day! In this course, you'll develop a foundational understanding of AI and explore the challenges and opportunities it offers in education. Explore specific AI tools like ChatGPT and Curipod to streamline your teacher workflow, support innovative lesson design, and save time. Discover how to personalize learning with adaptive technologies and inform instruction with AI-powered assessment. Prepare students to understand and use AI responsibly, and level-up lessons with AI enhancement. Registration Deadline: March 15, 2026
✉️ anthony.white@alaska.gov This newsletter is an initiative of the Division of Innovation & Education Excellence. We feature free, open-source resources. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive information on K-12 computer science and digital literacy. |
