Arlington, Va., Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) experts from the American Institutes for Research will present several sessions at the Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE TS) being held February 18 – 21 at the Cervantes Convention Center at the America’s Center Complex in St. Louis, Missouri.
AIR experts will share insights on topics ranging from AI implementation in K–12 classrooms and researcher–practitioner partnerships to building trusted professional development systems and expanding computer science (CS) pathways in rural and Indigenous communities.
These sessions reflect AIR’s commitment to advancing responsible, human-centered AI and strengthening computer science education so all learners can benefit. They also highlight the depth of work underway through CS@AIR: The Center for Evolving Computer Science Education, led by Joey Wilson, Katie Rich, and Robert Schwarzhaupt. The center has more than 30 federal-, state-, and foundation-funded projects and generates evidence to expand access to high-quality CS education and support students’ economic competitiveness in the workforce.
The SIGCSE TS, organized by the Association for Computing Machinery’s (ACM) Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education, is the organization’s flagship annual conference and a leading forum for advancing computing education. Held annually since 1970, the symposium brings together educators and researchers to share innovations in curriculum design, pedagogy, and program development through a wide range of technical sessions and collaborative learning opportunities.
Sessions featuring AIR experts and their work are listed below (all times are in Central Standard Time). Learn more about the conference and its activities on the conference website.
Thursday, February 19
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Poster Session: Affective Factors and AI Instructional Implementation: Insights from a Statewide Survey of K-12 Computer Science Teachers in Pennsylvania
Location: Poster Session #1 | Hall 1
AIR Presenters/Authors: Robert Schwarzhaupt, Diana Oh, and Jared Taylor
Learn about AIR’s evaluation of the PAsmart Initiative.
5:30–6:20 p.m.
Birds of a Feather: Creating and Sustaining Partnerships Between Researchers and Practitioners
Location: Flock 1d | Meeting Room 103-104
AIR Presenter/Author: Katie Rich
Learn about CS@AIR’s research-practice partnerships (RPPs).
Saturday, February 21
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Poster Session: Building Trust in a Computer Science Professional Development Passport for K-12 Teachers
Location: Poster Session #4 | Hall 1
AIR Presenter/Author: Robert Schwarzhaupt
Learn about the Computer Science Teacher Professional Development Passport Alliance.
Poster Session: Understanding Rural Strengths and Challenges Related to Elementary Computer Science Pathway Development
Location: Poster Session #4 | Hall 1
AIR Presenters/Authors: Katie Rich, Diana Oh, and Mahima Bhattar
Poster Session: AI Meets Storytime: Co-Designing Unplugged K–2 ELA-Aligned AI Lessons with Teachers
Location: Poster Session #4 | Hall 1
AIR Presenters/Authors: Joey Wilson, Shonda Rutledge, Cecilia Zhang, and Keisha Bailey
Location: Poster Session #4 | Hall 1
AIR Presenters/Authors: Joel Knudson, Kenya Roy, and Marina Castro
2:20–2:40 p.m.
Paper: Sustaining K-8 Computer Science Instruction with Indigenous Communities
Location: Culturally Responsive Computing Education | Meeting Room 103-104
AIR Presenters/Authors: Katie Rich and Joey Wilson
Learn about the Wind River Elementary Computer Science Collaborative.
About AIR
Established in 1946, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of education, health, and the workforce. With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR has offices across the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit www.air.org.
