A University-led Computer Science Education Summit: Meeting the Moment with Actionable, Relevant, and Timely Explorations

In a conference paper titled “A University-Led Computer Science Education Summit: Meeting the Moment With Actionable, Relevant, and Timely Explorations,” presented at the 2025 International Technology, Education, and Development Conference (INTED2025), authors Cynthia L. Blitz, Frances Trees, David J. Amiel, and Daryl Detrick describe the design, implementation, and impact of the Rutgers University Computer Science Summit that took place in December 2024 on campus in Piscataway, New Jersey. The summit was attended by over 200 K-12 educators, administrators, and other stakeholders across the state.

The conference paper shares a detailed account of the development of the computer science education summit and how both the content and mechanics of the event worked to meet its goals: connecting computer science educators with high-quality professional learning; authentically exploring the emerging fields of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; and providing a forum to clearly understand locally relevant policy matters.

Topics discussed in the presentation and paper about the summit include:

• Design of the summit, including program content, delivery, and networking opportunities as well as coordination mechanics such as marketing, registration, and event flow.

• Deliberate focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity topics.

• Policy matters, such as computer science teacher certification and student learning standards.

• Post-event survey results, including attendees’ ratings of impactful experiences.

• Key insights, such as how the structure of the event itself contributed to its success.