The second CAS Wales/Technocamps conference is being held on Friday 22^nd June at Swansea University, and will highlight the importance of Computer Science within the wider Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) agenda.

The conference, hosted by Computing at School and Technocamps, aims to provide teachers, educators, examination boards, academics and policymakers with a forum to discuss the important issues surrounding Computer Science education in Wales.

The conference will feature keynote talks from Leighton Andrews AM, Minister for Education and Skills, Professor Simon Peyton-Jones, Microsoft Research and Chair of CAS and Maggie Philbin, Broadcaster and CEO of TeenTech. The day will also provide practical workshop sessions for teachers, combined with breakout sessions for discussing wider policy and curriculum issues.

Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, Professor Richard B Davies who will welcome the Minister for Education and Skills, Leighton Andrews, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome teachers and educators from across Wales to the second teachers conference at the University.   There is a comprehensive programme of activities for education professionals in the computing and wider science community.  It is designed to update and reinforce expertise and to create an environment of infectious enthusiasm.

Professor Faron Moller, Director of Technocamps at Swansea University, said: ’The timing of this year’s conference couldn’t be better as it is astonishing how much the landscape has changed since last year.  For example, some schools are gearing themselves up to deliver GCSE Computing in the autumn, this is something that wasn’t available, or even foreseeable six months ago.’ 

Dr Tom Crick, Chair of Computing at School in Wales, and Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, added: ‘Since last year’s conference there has been a dramatic policy shift in recognising the importance of Computer Science education. This year’s conference aims to capitalise on this momentum by bringing together the CAS community across Wales and motivate each other to make a difference where it actually matters – in the classroom.’

• For further information, contact Siân Jones, Communications Manager, Technocamps on 01792 606652 or email info@technocamps.com. Registration for attendance at the conference can be made at http://caswales2012.eventbrite.com/
  
  
• Teachers and educators are also being invited to attend a Technoteach Bring & Brag at the Village Hotel on 21^st June at 7:00pm, where they can network and share their expertise.   Registration  for this event is via http://technoteachbringandbrag.eventbrite.com/