As an educator, you know the power of real-world, hands-on learning. At CSTA 2025 in Cleveland, our team at Forward Education set out to inspire just that—with high-energy booth experiences, cutting-edge coding tools, and an unforgettable lineup of educators and influencers.
From bite-sized PD to purpose-driven tech, here’s a look at what made our time at CSTA one for the books.
🎤 Bite-Sized micro:bit PD Sessions That Pack a Punch
Educators dropped in throughout the day to experience mini-PD sessions focused on physical computing with micro:bit designed to spark ideas and fuel new STEAM learning strategies. These quick, interactive sessions offered practical takeaways and classroom-ready inspiration—no long lectures required.
🔍 Hands-On STEAM Tools That Bring Learning to Life
Whether you’re new to physical computing or ready to level up your toolkit, our featured products turned heads (and turned gears in educator minds):
☀️ Smart Solar Kit for micro:bit
Generate energy with code.
Educators saw students’ potential to explore energy, electronics, and the environment—using the sun as their power source.
At CSTA, we even took the Smart Solar Kit outdoors on a field trip and witnessed real-time energy generation—a powerful way to show students how renewable energy connects with coding and climate science.
🔋 CHARGE Rechargeable Battery Pack for micro:bit
Take projects out of the classroom.
A fan favourite, CHARGE for micro:bit is a wearable, rechargeable battery pack that lets students learn anywhere—inside or out.
With CHARGE, educators also explored how to integrate AI and Machine Learning with micro:bit, expanding what’s possible.
🎮 CodeCTRL micro:bit controller
Modeled after a game controller, CodeCTRL for micro:bit lets younger learners jump into visual coding without the need for a computer.
Not only does it open coding to younger grades using MicroCode, but it also expands on the Climate Action Kit’s sensors, allowing students to code in real time, collect and display real-world data, and even bring MakeCode Arcade games to life.
It’s a bridge between early learning and advanced STEM concepts—all through hands-on, joyful exploration.
🌟 Special CS Expert Guest Hosts that Lit Up the Booth
We were honoured to host influential voices in CS education who brought joy, purpose, and deep expertise to our space:
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Amanda Jeane Strode (CodeJoy): Created magical and mobile learning moments with coding in her two CHARGE rechargeable battery pack for micro:bit sessions.
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Tom Ball (Co-creator of MakeCode & MicroCode): Brought deep insights into how we can make hardware coding easier and more accessible for students everywhere.
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Dr. LaTonya McKenzie (Amazon Teacher Ambassador, Black Achievers): A powerful voice for CTE and equity, sharing her work building K–12 career pathways and their integration with the Climate Action Kit.
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Brenda Bass (BootUp PD): With decades of experience, Brenda offered wisdom on empowering students through project-based coding and STEAM using CHARGE for micro:bit to create a hot and cold game.
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Cheyenne Skye Branscum (AISES, Citizen Potawatomi Nation): Shared insights on building inclusive STEM programs and partnerships to support Indigenous youth and shared lesson content that links lessons with the Climate Action Kit.
🎁 Plus... Spin-to-Win Fun & Community Connection
Of course, no visit to our booth was complete without spinning the prize wheel—but the biggest win was connecting face-to-face with the amazing educators who are shaping the future of computer science education.
🎸 CSTA After Dark: The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Party
To wrap up an already incredible conference, the epic after-party at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was a major highlight.
Let’s just say: CS educators know how to get down on the dance floor—and our Forward team? Oh, we showed up ready to get wiggy with it. 🪩🔥
We’re already dreaming up our wardrobe theme for CSTA 2026 in New Orleans—and trust us, it’s going to be legendary.
💡 Key Takeaway: CS Is Interconnected and Interdisciplinary
One theme echoed throughout every session, product demo, and conversation:
Computer science isn’t a silo—it’s deeply interconnected and interdisciplinary.
From environmental science to math, biology to music, and data science to engineering, CS weaves through it all. The projects and tools we build aren’t just coding exercises—they’re bridges connecting diverse fields and preparing students to tackle real-world challenges with a holistic perspective.
📸 Show Us Your Classroom in Action!
We’d love to see how Forward Education tech is coming to life in your classroom.
Whether it’s your students coding with the Smart Solar Kit, taking micro:bit outdoors with CHARGE, or exploring visual coding with CodeCTRL—snap a photo and share it with us!
Tag Forward Education or use #CodingForGood so we can celebrate and share your amazing work with our community. 🌱💻⚡
Let’s keep inspiring real-world learning—together.
