Turtle Graphics to Drones: The Tools and Teachers Transforming CS

The CodeHS van continued its journey—stopping in Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa to connect with passionate educators and creative students bringing computer science to life. From first-time Turtle Graphics to drone demos and auditorium-wide presentations, this stretch of the road trip was packed with memorable moments.

Stop 1: South High School (Cheyenne, WY)

We headed over to South High School, where we met with Caitlin Russ—a former biology teacher who recently began teaching computer science. Caitlin is now running both Intro to Python and AP CSA courses on CodeHS and learning right alongside her students. During our visit, we had the chance to speak to her classes and see students explore Turtle Graphics for the first time. Many of them were already using it to recreate their favorite cartoon characters.

Stop 2: Douglas High School (Douglas, WY)

At Douglas High School—a close-knit community of approximately 400 students—we met Patrick Phillips, one of the school's technology teachers. Patrick currently teaches Intro CS Advanced JavaScript courses. We had a great conversation about integrating AI tools into the classroom and walked through some of the Pro features on CodeHS. Patrick was especially excited about the streamlined grading tools and how they could help him manage his workload. His enthusiasm for helping students grow their skills in multiple CS tracks really stood out.

Stop 3: Elm Creek Public School (Elm Creek, NE)

Next, we traveled across Nebraska—six hours through miles of cornfields—to visit teacher Barbara Keep at Elm Creek Public School. Barbara had just started teaching Intro to Python using CodeHS and had a class of five students who were eager to learn. During our visit, the school’s robotics teacher brought in his class of five students as well. They showed off their VEX Robotics projects and even flew a drone outside to take a photo of the CodeHS van—a definite highlight!

Stop 4: West Monona High School (Onawa, IA)

Across the border into Iowa, we visited West Monona High School in Onawa. We were grateful enough to present in the auditorium to 44 freshmen who were just beginning their computer science journey. The school’s CS program starts with Web Design and transitions into Java, all using CodeHS. We met with Jen Benedict, a newer teacher in the district who was exploring the full potential of the CodeHS Pro platform. We shared tools, answered student questions, and talked about the future of tech careers.

From drone flyovers to JavaScript breakthroughs, this stretch of the trip showed just how much energy and innovation is happening in places that often go unseen. Teachers are finding new ways to engage, students are diving into code, and small schools are dreaming big. We’re excited to build on this momentum as the CodeHS van continues across the country—supporting teachers, growing CS programs, and helping students unlock their potential.

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