CSpathshala Computational Thinking in School Award

CSpathshala Computational Thinking in School Award

CSpathshala is pleased to announce the CSpathshala Computational Thinking in School Award.  The award is instituted to recognize teaching excellence in computing. It acknowledges outstanding efforts by a teacher in inspiring, motivating and engaging students in learning computational thinking and at times over coming multiple challenges to provide opportunities for unreached students.

Award

The 2020 CSpathshala Computational Thinking in School Award has been sponsored by Infosys. The award carries:

  • A cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 for the teacher
  • A cash prize of Rs. 2,00,000 for the School

The award was open to all computing teachers in India and we received nominations from a mix of urban and rural, government and elite schools. The nomination and selection was based on a rigorous set of criteria to identify an extraordinary teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to teaching computational thinking in schools.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Teaches computational thinking in K-12
  • Uses innovative teaching methods that motivates and inspires students to learn CT
  • Demonstrates the role of a mentor by sharing best practices with the teachers community and motivating them to implement CT
  • Inclusion of unreached students in computing

The selection is based on a rigorous set of criteria to identify an extraordinary teacher who has made an outstanding contribution in teaching computational thinking in schools. It is open to all K-12 teachers in India.

Selection committee:

  • Madhavan Mukund, Deputy Director and Prof. of Computer Science, Chennai Mathematical Institute, Chennai
  • R. Ramanujam, Prof. of Computer Science, The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai
  • R. Venkatesh, Chief Scientist, TCS, Member of education committee, ACM India Council
  • Sonia Garcha, Core committee, CSpathshala
  • Venkatesh Raman, Prof. of Computer Science, The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai | Secretary ACM India Council
  • Vipul Shah,Principal Scientist, Head Education & Skilling, TCS Global CSR | Head CSpathshala

The committee found two candidates worthy of the award and therefore decided to declare joint winners and split the award as follows.

  • A cash prize of Rs. 50,000 for each teacher
  • A cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000 for each school

Awardee:

  1. Ms. Palaparthi Pooja, APSWRS (Girls) school, Narsipatnam, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh: Pooja from a Social Welfare School from Andhra Pradesh has been selected as a joint winner in recognition of her outstanding efforts in using local examples and  innovative methods for overcoming the challenge of language barrier among the tribal students. She has been successful in invoking interest amongst students to learn and share examples using art and craft. She has also been outstanding mentor, training, encouraging and supporting teachers in AP. During Covid 19, her videos have been an excellent resource for students on computational thinking activities.

  2. Mr. Santosh Hande, Zilla Parishad school, Jaulke Khurd, Khed taluka, Maharashtra:  Santosh has been selected as tas a joint winner in recognition of his outstanding efforts for his innovative methods in teaching CT. Santosh, an all subjects teacher, took the lead in integrating CT into other subjects. Santosh involved the community to overcome infrastructure challenges and mobilised resources for solar panels and computers for the school.  An excellent mentor and master trainer, Santosh has motivated the teachers to try out CT activities in their classroom which has led to an increased number of schools implementing CT activities. During lockdown he has continued his efforts in teaching CT by distributing printed sheets to the students.