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CSAwesome is a Java AP CSA and CS1 curriculum with 20,000 users on the Runestone ebook platform. The curriculum is online, free and interactive with embedded Java Active Code examples and problems, mixed-up code (Parsons problems), multiple-choice problems, and scaffolded coding challenges. There are many features of the Runestone platform that scaffold and differentiate learning for students. The curriculum is designed to broaden participation in CS and transition students from AP CSP (or CS0) to AP CSA (or CS1) with a variety of techniques such as scaffolded interactivity and creative and collaborative learning. Initial results from the 2020-2021 school year show average gains of 29% on the pre/post test built into the curriculum (n=958, P<.001). Pre and post surveys built into the ebook show slight gains in confidence in Java programming and pursuing further study or a career in computing (P<.001). Female students (22% of those who answered) performed similarly to all students. Students who took AP CSP (39%) prior to AP CSA performed slightly higher in the pre-test but had similar results otherwise. 47% of students rated themselves as beginner programmers and 30% intermediate at the beginning of the course; at the end of the course, 12% rated themselves as beginners and 43% as intermediate programmers. 

This hands-on online workshop will introduce high school and college instructors to CSAwesome, a free Java curriculum and ebook at course.csawesome.org for the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science (CS) A course. This course is equivalent to a college-level CS1 course in Java. CSAwesome is an official College Board approved curriculum and professional development provider and has been widely adopted by AP high school teachers. The free ebook on the Runestone platform includes executable Java code examples and a variety of practice problems with immediate feedback: multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, write-code, mixed-up code (Parsons), and clickable code. It also includes coding challenges and support for pair programming. The curriculum is designed to help transition students from AP Computer Science Principles, which is equivalent to a CS0 course. Teacher lesson plans and resources are freely available. During this workshop, participants will register for the free ebook and work through example activities using object-oriented programming. If possible, participants will be divided into breakout groups according to their Java expertise. Participants will also learn how to create a custom course on the Runestone platform, create and grade assignments, use the instructor's dashboard to view student progress, contribute to the question bank, and use an interleaved spaced practice tool. We will also discuss online/hybrid teaching and engagement strategies. 

CSAwesome is a new approved curriculum and professional development (PD) provider for the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science (CS) A high school course. AP courses are taken by secondary (typically ages 14-19) students for college placement and/or credit. CSAwesome's free curriculum and teacher resources were developed in 2019 by adapting the CSA Java Review ebook on the open-source Runestone platform. The goals of CSAwesome are to broaden participation in the AP CSA course and to support new-to-CS students and teachers as they transition from the AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) course to the AP CSA course by using inclusive teaching practices and curriculum design. The AP CSP course is equivalent to a first course for non-majors at the college level, while the AP CSA course is equivalent to a first course for majors. Currently, AP CSA attracts a much less diverse student body than AP CSP. This new curriculum supports student engagement and scaffolded learning through an interactive ebook with embedded executable and modifiable code (Active Code), a variety of practice types with immediate feedback, and adaptable mixed-up code (Parsons) problems. Collaborative learning is encouraged through pair programming and groupwork. Our pilot Professional Development (PD) incorporates inclusive teaching strategies and active recruitment with the goal of broadening participation in CSA. This paper presents the design of the CSAwesome curriculum and teacher professional development and initial results from the curriculum use and pilot PD during the first year of CSAwesome.