WeTeach_CS Summit 2026

Anxiety and overwhelm don't have to be overwhelming. This innovative 60-minute workshop introduces an instructional model that reframes core Computational Thinking (CT) principles—Decomposition, Abstraction, Pattern Recognition, and Algorithm Design—as a powerful Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) tool. Developed by a neurodivergent individual, this highly-structured, low-arousal algorithm teaches students (and adults!) a step-by-step process to break down intense emotional and cognitive states into manageable, actionable steps. Walk away with practical scripts, a complete instructional guide, and the ability to integrate robust CT concepts into any K-12 classroom for improved self-management and emotional regulation.

Join us as we build a model of the heart! We will use the Ti-Nspire CXII and Python to code the path blood flows through the heart, complete with simulated "beats". Then create a 3-D circuit model of the heart using TI-Innovators and micro:bits with modeling clay, wires, and LEDs to visualize the path blood takes through the heart and hear the heartbeat.

Not every student interested in computing wants—or needs—a traditional computer science major. In this session, we will explore how UT Austin has expanded access to computing through a variety of academic pathways. We will provide an overview of the new X+CS Program, the Programming and Computing Certificate, and other interdisciplinary options that integrate computing with fields such as business, design, entrepreneurship, biology, and social science. Attendees will learn how students can engage with computing while pursuing diverse academic interests, helping educators better advise students who may not see themselves in a traditional CS pathway.