Education and Business Summit 2023

What kind of efforts are we doing as a state to educate our children about the jobs that are available today as well as the jobs that will be available in the future? During this session, you will learn about the Computer Science initiative that has been launched by the Department of Education and ways in which you can support it.

Get an overview of the Network Vulnerability Scanning Initiative (NVSI) offered to District Information Technology leaders and their support staff by the South Carolina Department of Education. Learn how this initiative can help IT (Information Technology) leaders identify security threats that affect their internal and external network and help districts understand their security posture.

This session provides updates on the Office of Career and Technical Education Information Technology Program and Pathways in addition to information on the South Carolina Department of Education Computer Science initiatives. This interactive session includes opportunities for participants to discuss concerns, curriculum, instructional materials, standards, best practices, professional development opportunities, teacher certification, industry career ready certifications, external engagements, student organizations, funding, and other topics of interest. You are encouraged to share your experiences both inside of and outside of the classroom as you teach students the skills they need for a career in information technology or any other field requiring information technology skillsets.

Students as young as 5 have laptops, 8 year olds have cell phones. Technology is very different for students today than it was 10 years ago. Our education system has not changed to upgrade with the times. Many times, students have more in-depth knowledge of computers and technology than their teachers. Teachers need to have their knowledge upgraded and what we teach our students needs to reflect current technology. Stop teaching outdated information and start investing in technology learning that will benefit students and teachers alike. I propose that we start the discussion with what our students need and design learning to follow students from kindergarten to graduation.

Take home computational thinking resources that you can use in the k-12 classroom. The Bebras Challenge, an international computational thinking challenge for students 6-18 years old, will be examined and evaluated. Other plugged and unplugged computer science resources will be provided.

Learn about Industry certifications for Computer Science and IT pathways. We will discuss certifications for Apple App Development with Swift, Cisco, IC3, IT Specialist, Microsoft, AutoDesk, Adobe, and Unity. We will cover delivering exams at your school while supporting curriculum and practice test software to help prepare the students.

The Correlation of eSports in STEAM Education & Future Career Success
eSports (or electronic sports) as an extracurricular and state-sanctioned activity is rapidly growing in K–12 education as a path for building science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) and social-emotional skills while increasing student engagement and opportunities for student inclusion. Like other team sports, starting and maintaining an eSports team or program requires planning and investment. 

In this session we will discuss the benefits of eSports in Education, how it prepares students with the skills needed to succeed in college and in their future careers in or outside of the technology sector, and how the BlueAlly BluePrint can help clients with various needs for establishing and maintaining a successful eSports program. With our vast knowledge of managed services, professional services, and the IT space; we are able to create a client focused experience that is unmatched and specific to your needs. We will be your trusted advisor and consultant with the BlueAlly 7 Pillars; making sure your organization is covered from all possible angles.