Families Learning Together is looking for Texas State University students who want to learn how to broaden creative computation in San Marcos. Join FLT to empower kids, families, and their teachers too.
Since 2017, students from across the University have worked as FLT teachers — from education, art, history, dance, English, computer science, biology, and other majors. Some facilitators are novices when they start. In terms of computer programming, aka: coding, we start with Scratch (https://scratch.mit.edu/) and expand to physical computing with tools like the Makey Makey, micro:bits, and craft circuit materials.
Prior experience in computer science is not necessary, but applicants should be interested in children’s learning. FLT teachers receive training in the FLT workshop method, which is based on art education, problem-solving, and digital citizenship.
FLT teachers work with partners in the schools, libraries, and community centers of San Marcos. FLT teachers also have the opportunity to share their work with FLT at conferences and maker education showcases in Central Texas and around the nation.
FLT is a community education project that focuses on computational thinking through storytelling and citizen science. We offer after school coding and making clubs in San Marcos elementary schools, workshops at the public library, and teacher education workshops at SMCISD and Centro Cultural in San Marcos.
Join FLT to empower 21st century creativity in our community. No matter how much experience you have with programming, or if you have none at all, the main criteria for making a difference is the willingness to jump into learning — to learn alongside workshop participants, whether they’re elementary school students, college students, parents and grandparents, or classroom teachers.
FLT undergraduates learn to code and make meaningful computational artifacts by teaching in classrooms and informal learning spaces. Students are paid through the student workers program at the School of Art and Design.
Participation in conferences around Texas and across the nation is encouraged but not required.
Attendance at previous conferences, including travel, room and board, and registration has been funded in part by contributions from the Texas State University undergraduate research program, the STAR grant, the Research Enhancement Program, and individual colleges and academic programs.
Contact Sean Justice to learn more about joining FLT.
To join FLT, please complete an application on Google Forms here.