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AK CS and Digital Literacy

Empowering K-12 educators with free, open-source content and news in computer science, digital literacy, and artificial intelligence.
"Most boys aren't actively seeking out masculinity content online. Instead, 68% say this stuff just starts showing up in their feeds without them even looking for it."

— Common Sense Media: What's Happening in Boys' Digital Worlds

Upcoming Events

Exciting AI and computer science opportunities this month!

Hour of CS/AI - December 8-12, 2025

It's here! The Hour of CS/AI activity catalog is now live with 60+ creative ways to bring Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence to life in classrooms. Start exploring at HourofAI.org and join the movement.

Students will explore what AI is, how it works, and how it can be used for good through hands-on, easy-to-follow activities that demystify AI and inspire new possibilities.

View a collection of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence resources on the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Computer Science website.

American Computer Science League (ACSL) Registration

ACSL organizes computer programming and computer science contests for K-12 schools, organizations and local groups. This year marks their 48th year of continuous operation! Last year, over 7,000 students from 21 countries on 6 continents participated.

  • Registration deadline: December 31, 2025
  • Register now at ACSL.org

Swift Student Challenge

Get ready! Submissions for the Swift Student Challenge will be open February 6–28, 2026. This challenge offers students an opportunity to showcase their creativity and app development skills that they can take into their careers and beyond. Students can use iOS/MacOS Devices to participate. Learn how to get ready for the Swift Student Challenge.

Submission period: February 6–28, 2026

Upcoming Webinars

Presidential AI Challenge Workshops

The Presidential AI Challenge seeks to inspire young people and educators to create AI-based innovative solutions to community challenges while fostering AI interest and competency. Students and educators of all backgrounds and expertise are encouraged to participate and ignite a new spirit of innovation as we celebrate 250 years of independence and look forward to the next 250 years.

Upcoming Webinars

America's Youth AI Festival

In partnership with MIT RAISE, the America's Youth AI Festival celebrates the creativity, leadership, and innovation of students across the United States who are shaping the future of AI. The Festival is hosted across Boston and MIT's Cambridge campus.

Theme: Empowering America's youth to aspire and inspire through AI innovation, shaping the next 250 years of technological leadership and creativity.

Grand Prize: Win an all-expenses-paid trip to MIT from July 17-19, 2026 (Eligible for students ages 14 and up)

Visit dayofaiusa.org/festival for more information.

News & Opportunities

K-12 Data Partners Program - Apply by November 17!

DS4E is excited to launch the K12 Data Partners Program, a new grant-funded pilot program designed to support K-12 districts in building and expanding high-quality data science education!

Through this initiative, selected districts will be matched with experienced project managers who provide tailored, hands-on support throughout the 2025–2026 school year. At no cost to the district, a PM will work closely with the district team to plan, launch, and strengthen data science initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to receive personalized guidance and expert support in bringing data literacy and data science education to more students.

Application deadline: November 17, 2025. Apply here or email info@datascience4everyone.org for more information.

Understanding Boys in Digital Spaces

New research from Common Sense Media reveals important insights about boys' online experiences. The study shows that most boys aren't actively seeking out masculinity content online. Instead, 68% say this content just starts showing up in their feeds.

The top three types of content that boys encounter are messages about making money (44%), building muscle (39%), and fighting or weapons (35%). These messages may put forth a narrow idea about boyhood and manhood.

Read the full research report to better understand how to support healthy digital citizenship for all students.

Professional Development

Verizon Professional Development & Curriculum

Verizon offers flexible, credentialed professional development courses to help educators develop critical new skills. Their comprehensive platform includes:

  • Wide variety of flexible professional development courses
  • Lesson plan gallery with ready-made lessons that easily fit your curriculum
  • Credentialed programs to advance your professional skills

Explore Verizon Professional Development or browse their lesson plan gallery.

Curriculum Corner

Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum

Common Sense Education offers comprehensive digital literacy and well-being curriculum designed to help students navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. These resources are particularly relevant given the research on boys' digital experiences.

Explore the Digital Literacy & Well-Being Curriculum from Common Sense Education.

Why Computer Science is the Foundation for AI Literacy

Understanding the fundamental concepts of computer science is essential for developing AI literacy. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, students need a strong foundation in computational thinking and programming concepts.

Read more about CS as the foundation for AI literacy in EdTech Magazine.

Interactive Resource Database

Want 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.

Explore the resource database here.

Spotlight on Alaska

Alaska's First AI Pitch Contest Winner - Innovation Meets Community Impact

Congratulations to Lorenzo Chu and Arcnito for winning Alaska's inaugural AI Pitch Showcase! Held during Alaska Entrepreneurship Week, this groundbreaking competition showcased how Alaska entrepreneurs are using AI to solve real problems for their communities.

Chu's winning solution, Arcnito, is a community calendar and resource navigator designed specifically to help tribal communities find events, services, and benefits in one simple hub. As the first AI-enabled startup in the North Slope region, this innovation demonstrates the power of technology to bridge gaps and strengthen community connections.

This competition highlights exactly the kind of problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking we want to foster for our K-12 students. The nine participating entrepreneurs didn't transplant Silicon Valley ideas to Alaska. They developed authentic Alaska solutions for Alaska's unique challenges, from making wilderness areas safer to reducing food waste.

Read the full story in Alaska Business Magazine to learn more about all nine innovative solutions and how Alaska's entrepreneurial spirit is adapting to meet our communities' needs.

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. Click the button below to share your story.

✉️anthony.white@alaska.gov
🌐AKDEED CompSci

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