Computer Science

What is Computer Science?

Iowa defines computer science as understanding how and why technologies work, exploring whether and how technology could solve real-life problems, investigating procedures, creating solutions, and learning about computing systems, programming, data, networks and the effects on society and the individual. Learning computer science means learning how to create new technologies, rather than simply using them.

CS Practices and Core ConceptsIt is the vision of the state of Iowa that all Iowa students will engage in the concepts and practices of computer science through an intentional progression of experiences in order to prepare them to become enterprising citizens that positively impact society.

This vision is accomplished through the CSTA and Iowa standards that weave the Core Practices throughout the Core Concepts. You can find more about computer science in Iowa on the Iowa Department of Education website.

K-12 Computer Science Framework

Computer Science Standards (CSTA)

Heartland AEA Computer Science Overview + Resources

Heartland AEA is committed to supporting schools as they work to implement the Iowa Core Computer Science Standards. Area schools should contact a member of the Heartland AEA Computer Science Team for support. 

Important Contacts

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Delaney Ashley 9539B9B7E7E05

Ashley Delaney

  • Curriculum Consultant - Science

Education: Bachelor’s degree, history, political science and education; Master’s degree, human development and family studies; Master’s degree, curriculum and instruction; Ph.D., education

Experience: Secondary social sciences teacher math teacher and science teacher; K-12 gifted & talented teacher & administrator; Science, computer science & STEM consultant
Joined Heartland AEA in 2019

Expertise: Strategic planning; change management; curriculum planning and implementation; assessment design; standards-based grading and reporting; instructional design; work-based learning; integrated computer science; STEM education; science for students with significant disabilities; inquiry-based learning; problem- and project-based learning; OpenSciEd training; 21st Century skills

Professional affiliations: Computer Science Teachers Association, National Science Teaching Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, North American chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, School Science & Mathematics Association, National Association for Gifted Children, Council for Exceptional Children

How I’ve made an impact: I supported a district as it reviewed its elementary science curriculum and resources. We worked collaboratively to review and adopt high-quality instructional resources and implement research-based practices to improve the teaching and learning in its K-5 classrooms. Our professional learning and planning sessions included curriculum mapping, writing performance scales for standards-based reporting and reviewing a wealth of data to assess their current reality as well as evaluate the rollout of their new curriculum and resources.

Angela Dvorak

Angela Dvorak

  • Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant

Education: ​​Bachelor’s degree, psychology; Master’s degree, education; Ed.S., school psychology; Master’s degree, educational leadership

Experience: School psychologist, Challenging behavior consultant, Assessment consultant, Director of student services, Professional learning consultant Joined Heartland AEA in 2020

Expertise: MTSS supports; intervention systems; leadership and infrastructure; postsecondary success; transition; district career and academic planning; IDEA-DA SDI literacy and transition; special education; ACHIEVE; Section 504; diverse learners; at-risk programming; co-teaching; academic and SEBH evidence-based practices; behavior assessment and intervention; de-escalation; CPI; Science of Reading; UFLI; literacy curriculum review; paraeducator training; needs assessment; ESSA school improvement; leadership coaching (4DX); computer science; data systems (CASA, state reporting, EdInsight, FASTBridge, Panorama, Career Information Systems)

How I’ve made an impact: Over several years, I have collaborated with a district on an innovative literacy MTSS redesign. By developing a comprehensive framework for universal literacy instruction and designing and implementing targeted supplemental and intensive interventions PK-12, we successfully increased student proficiency from 75% to 90%. This achievement reflects our commitment to fostering impactful learning experiences for all students.

Tyler Hellmann

Tyler Hellmann

  • Digital Learning Consultant

Education: Bachelor’s degree, elementary education; Master’s degree, instructional technology; Endorsement areas: K-8 math, instructional technology, computer science

Experience: K-8 technology teacher, Digital learning consultant
Joined Heartland AEA in 2015

Expertise: Elementary education; computer science; artificial intelligence; spreadsheets and dashboards

Professional affiliations: International Society for Technology in Education, Iowa Technology & Education Connection

How I’ve made an impact: I worked with a group of teachers to kick off the school year and increase their knowledge and skills around computer science. We learned about computer science curriculum and new vocabulary words and explored technology tools and robots.

Alicia Patten

Alicia Patten

  • Teacher Librarian Consultant

Education: Bachelor’s degree, elementary education with special education minor; K-6 reading endorsement; Master’s degree, school library media studies; Instructional design certificate; K-12 computer science endorsement

Experience: Elementary special education teacher, Elementary teacher librarian, Teacher librarian consultant
Joined Heartland AEA in 2021

Expertise: AEA digital resources; K-12 library services; digital literacy; computer science

Professional Affiliations: Iowa Library Association, Iowa Association for School Librarians, Computer Science Teacher Association, Iowa Reading Association, Iowa Technology & Education Connection

How I’ve made an impact: I worked with a district’s library staff around AEA digital resources, copyright and connections to the American Association of School Librarians’ standards. We worked to improve library services and ensure compliance with best practices. This resulted in better resource management and enhanced support for students’ research and academic needs.

Susan Schrader

Susan Schrader

  • Director of Resources & Library Services
Amy Wichman

Amy Wichman

  • Director of Media, Technology & Digital Learning

Education: Bachelor’s degree, English, political science and secondary education; Master’s degree, education administration

Experience: Extensive experience in teaching & administration; Regional director; Director of instructional services; Director of media, technology & digital learning
Joined Heartland AEA in 2016

Expertise: Authentic technology integration/EdTech; implementing innovation; adult learning; standards-based grading, systems change

Professional affiliations: TCEA, ATD, ISTE, ISTE Certified, Scrum Master, vCISO

How I’ve made an impact: I assisted with a comprehensive implementation of technology with students that included goal setting, benchmarks and specific outcomes for annual reporting to the district’s school board. A multi-year action plan included tracking student/parent/teacher feedback, implementation planning, professional learning and data collection to track evidence of progress and update goals. Over three years we increased technology integration and ultimately test scores.

Computer Science