This by-invitation-only event took place at the DevTech Workshop at Boston College from May 28 to 30, 2025. It gathered educators, researchers, and innovators from ten countries and more than 20 nonprofit organizations at the intersection of technology and education who had been working with the DevTech research group for the past three years, implementing, localizing, and/or evaluating the Coding as Another Language curriculum.
This symposium aimed to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the role of computer science in fostering humanistic education by exploring how computational thinking, design, and technologies can enhance our understanding of human values, culture, and society.
Please visit the community page, which provides more information about what the symposium attendees have done using the Coding as Another Language curriculum and/or ScratchJr in their local settings.
Following the symposium, we are looking for DevTech Fellowship applicants. Learn more here:
This symposium is generously funded by the Siegel Family Endowment.
Event
Date and Location
The symposium will be held from May 28-30, 2025, at the DevTech Research Group Workshop at Boston College at 281 Beacon St., Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467
Schedule
We will start our symposium with an optional Open House on May 28 at 4:00 p.m. (EST) and conclude the activities on May 30 at lunchtime.
Our time together will feature key speakers, workshops, social activities, and a lot of fun!
Presentations
To share what you have done with the Coding as Another Language curriculum and/or ScratchJr, we will have a “flash talk” format session for all the attendees to tell us the highlights of their work.
Format: 5 minute flash talk with no more than five slides designed to tell a good story about your organization’s work in this project. The slides should start with a compelling opening to capture the audience’s attention, present the main goal of the project (specifying what, when, where, who, and how it occurred), tell a story about what happened by giving an example or sharing photos or data, and conclude with a lesson learned from this project.
Tips:
Given the time constraints, focus on only the most relevant and impactful points.
Maintain a dynamic pace to keep energy high and attention focused.
The goal of a flash talk is to be clear, concise, and impactful, making sure the audience walks away with a solid understanding of your project in a short amount of time.
Be prepared for more details, but start thinking about how to answer the “what,” “why,” “who,” “how,” and “where” questions!
Other Info
Lodging
The DevTech Research Group will cover lodging for the two nights of the symposium (May 28th and May 29th) in the Boston College Housing. For more information, please visit here.
If you need an extra night of lodging, please let us know so we can book it. Any additional payment will be charged closer to the date of the symposium
VISA
Please be aware that you may need a VISA to enter the United States. Here, you’ll be able to find more information about your specific situation.
We can only provide a support letter for your application if needed.
Flights
Once you send us your visa approval (if needed), we can help you book a two-way flight based on the average economy-class rate. Please ensure you save and share your purchase invoice and boarding pass with us.
Consent Forms
All symposium participants must sign a consent form for us to use any collected data for research during these days. We will soon share more details about this.
FAQ
How do I get to Boston College from the airport?
By Train: Take the free Silver Line bus from any terminal to South Station. At South Station, transfer to the Red Line. Take the Red Line train to Park Street. At Park Street, transfer to the Green Line where you will take the “B” Boston College outbound trolley to Boston College.
By Uber: Order an Uber using the App to the final destination (Boston College Housing). An average ride from the Logan International airport may cost $40, and the travel time is around 17-20 minutes
By Taxi: To take a taxi from Boston Logan Airport to Boston College, follow signs for Ground Transportation in the airport, and find a taxi stand, with fares typically costing between $30-$40, and the travel time is around 17-20 minutes, depending on traffic.
How do I get into the housing at Boston College?
Someone from our team will be waiting for you. Once the housing is assigned, the exact meeting point will be updated.
What does the housing include?
Double shared rooms include a linen package: a fitted sheet, flat sheet, blanket, towel, one roll of toilet paper, and one small bar of hand soap.
What meals will be included in the symposium?
The symposium will include breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch, and dinner depending on each day’s schedule.
Will the symposium be available virtually?
No, we won’t be offering a virtual option for attendees who cannot attend in person.
Can I bring a guest with me?
If you are coming to this event with someone from your organization, the registration fee for them is US 350, including meals and materials. This must be paid before the start of the event.
What language will we be speaking?
Please be aware that this time together will be a space for us to share, discuss, and debate relevant topics for our community, so all participants should be able to communicate fluently in English.
Attendees
Our Community
Around the world, educators, community leaders, and organizations are bringing the Coding as Another Language (CAL) curriculum and ScratchJr to life in unique and meaningful ways. Visit this page to view the inspiring work of our partners who are adapting and implementing these tools in their own local settings. From classrooms worldwide, they are helping children explore creative expression, storytelling, and computational thinking, all through coding.
Photo Gallery
Photos from Event
