Georgia Computes!Georgia Computes!Improving Computer Science Improving Computer Science Education in GeorgiaEducation in Georgia

Barbara EricsonBarbara EricsonDirector Computer Science OutreachDirector Computer Science OutreachInstitute for Computing Education (ICE)Institute for Computing Education (ICE)Georgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technologyhttp://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/ice-gt/http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/ice-gt/ericson@cc.gatech.eduericson@cc.gatech.edu

What is Computer What is Computer Science?Science?

The The study of computersstudy of computers and and algorithmic processes including algorithmic processes including their principles, their hardware and their principles, their hardware and software design, their applications, software design, their applications, and their impact on societyand their impact on society

It is notIt is not Keyboarding, Computer Keyboarding, Computer Applications, or Educational Applications, or Educational TechnologyTechnology

What is Georgia What is Georgia Computes?Computes?

A A statewide vertical alliancestatewide vertical alliance – Georgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Institute of Technology– Georgia Dept of EducationGeorgia Dept of Education– Girl Scout Council of Greater Atlanta, Girl Scout Council of Greater Atlanta,

IncInc– YWCA Teen Girls in TechnologyYWCA Teen Girls in Technology

Funded by a Funded by a National Science National Science FoundationFoundation Broadening Broadening Participation in Computing grantParticipation in Computing grant

What are the goals?What are the goals?

To increase the To increase the number and number and diversity of studentsdiversity of students who are who are interested in computer science in interested in computer science in GeorgiaGeorgia– increase by 50% the number of high increase by 50% the number of high

schools offering AP CS in Georgiaschools offering AP CS in Georgia– Double the percentage of women and Double the percentage of women and

underrepresented minorities taking underrepresented minorities taking AP CSAP CS

Why increase interest?Why increase interest?

Since 2001 there has been a Since 2001 there has been a 60% 60% dropdrop in incoming freshman who in incoming freshman who plan to major in computer scienceplan to major in computer science

A reduction occurred in the A reduction occurred in the number of students who take AP number of students who take AP CS in GeorgiaCS in Georgia– huge decline in African Americanshuge decline in African Americans

from 80 in 2001 to 12 in 2007from 80 in 2001 to 12 in 2007

CS in CrisisCS in Crisis

There will be There will be 1,000,0001,000,000 computer and computer and information related information related jobsjobs by 2014 by 2014

We expect to We expect to only graduateonly graduate only only enough trained people for enough trained people for 50%50% of these of these jobsjobs– the Business Roundtable talked about this the Business Roundtable talked about this

shortageshortage The field was 37% female in 1985 The field was 37% female in 1985

– but only 12% of incoming freshman are but only 12% of incoming freshman are female in CSfemale in CS

– there have never been very many African there have never been very many African Americans or Hispanics in CSAmericans or Hispanics in CS

CS is Fundamental!CS is Fundamental!

Computing jobsComputing jobs are among the are among the fastest fastest growinggrowing over the next 4-6 years over the next 4-6 years– Computing + X will grow even fasterComputing + X will grow even faster

Many science and math degrees Many science and math degrees requirerequire knowledge of knowledge of computingcomputing– At Georgia Tech everyone must take and At Georgia Tech everyone must take and

pass an introductory computer science pass an introductory computer science coursecourse

CS teaches CS teaches 2121stst century skills century skills– problem solving and working in teamsproblem solving and working in teams

ICE EffortsICE Efforts

For K-12 educatorsFor K-12 educators– helped create the new Georgia helped create the new Georgia

Performance Standards in computing and Performance Standards in computing and the computing pathwaythe computing pathway

– helped create a CS endorsementhelped create a CS endorsement– offer 4 one-week summer teacher offer 4 one-week summer teacher

workshopsworkshops– offer several one-day teacher workshops offer several one-day teacher workshops

during the school yearduring the school year– creating interesting course materials and creating interesting course materials and

lesson planslesson plans

Computing PathwayComputing Pathway

Level II - CS in the Modern World

Level II - Computing in the Modern World

ACM Model Curriculum Georgia Computing Curriculum

Level III - Computer Science as Analysis and Design

Level IV – Topics in Computer Science – including CS AP A and AB

Level III - Beginning Programming

Level III - Intermediate Programming

Level IV – Topics in Computer Science – including CS AP A and AB

Old Georgia Computing Classes

Computer Applications

IT Foundations

Programming and Systems Management

CS AP A and AB

CS EndorsementCS Endorsement

Voluntary endorsementVoluntary endorsement– equivalent to a equivalent to a minor in Computer minor in Computer

Science Science Can be added to Can be added to any existing any existing

teaching certificateteaching certificate Based on a Based on a NCTAE endorsementNCTAE endorsement Existing CS teachers can get the Existing CS teachers can get the

endorsement by submitting a endorsement by submitting a portfolioportfolio

Summer Teacher Summer Teacher WorkshopsWorkshops Computing in the Modern WorldComputing in the Modern World

– for teachers with no experience in for teachers with no experience in computer sciencecomputer science

Beginning Programming in JavaBeginning Programming in Java– teaches textual programming by teaches textual programming by

manipulating mediamanipulating media Intermediate Programming in JavaIntermediate Programming in Java

– focuses on graphical user interfaces. focuses on graphical user interfaces. games, and software engineeringgames, and software engineering

Advanced Placement CS A and ABAdvanced Placement CS A and AB

Computing in the Modern Computing in the Modern WorldWorld

Beginning Prog in JavaBeginning Prog in Java

Intermediate Prog in Intermediate Prog in JavaJava

AP A and ABAP A and AB

Interesting Course Interesting Course MaterialMaterial Media ComputationMedia Computation

– modify pictures and sounds by writing programs in Python and modify pictures and sounds by writing programs in Python and JavaJava

ScratchScratch– learn computing concepts while creating 2D animations and learn computing concepts while creating 2D animations and

gamesgames AliceAlice

– learn computing concepts while creating 3D movies and gameslearn computing concepts while creating 3D movies and games Alice and Media ComputationAlice and Media Computation

– use Alice to introduce concepts and use Media Computation to use Alice to introduce concepts and use Media Computation to teach textual programmingteach textual programming

LEGO robotsLEGO robots– project ideas project ideas – lending librarylending library

PicoCricket arts and crafts kitsPicoCricket arts and crafts kits– project ideasproject ideas– lending librarylending library

Media ComputationMedia Computation

Created at Georgia Created at Georgia Tech by Dr. Mark Tech by Dr. Mark GuzdialGuzdial

Teaches computing Teaches computing concepts with concepts with programs that programs that manipulate mediamanipulate media

Attracts students to Attracts students to computing and computing and increases the increases the percentage that percentage that succeedsucceed

original sound

reversed sound

ScratchScratch

Free software Free software from MITfrom MIT

Uses drag-and-Uses drag-and-drop drop programmingprogramming

Incorporates Incorporates images and images and sounds sounds

Students can Students can share created share created projects on the projects on the websitewebsite

AliceAlice

Free software Free software from CMUfrom CMU

Uses drag-and-Uses drag-and-drop drop programmingprogramming

Students can Students can direct 3D direct 3D movies and movies and create simple create simple gamesgames

Alice and Media CompAlice and Media Comp

Media Comp is the special effects Media Comp is the special effects studio for Alice studio for Alice

LEGO Mindstorms LEGO Mindstorms RobotsRobots Teach computing Teach computing

concepts by concepts by programming a programming a robotrobot– and working with and working with

sensorssensors Hands-on and Hands-on and

concrete resultsconcrete results Robot CompetitionsRobot Competitions

– FIRSTFIRST– RoboCup JrRoboCup Jr

PicoCricketsPicoCrickets

Developed by a Developed by a group from MITgroup from MIT– same group that same group that

created the created the programmable programmable brick that the brick that the LEGO robots is LEGO robots is based onbased on

Arts and crafts Arts and crafts for the digital agefor the digital age

Getting Students Getting Students InterestedInterested Summer Camps since 2004Summer Camps since 2004

– in 2008in 2008 5 weeks of middle school5 weeks of middle school 3 weeks of high school3 weeks of high school

– we provide seed money and training for other we provide seed money and training for other Georgia Universities to start summer camps Georgia Universities to start summer camps

3 in 20073 in 2007 4 in 20084 in 2008

Girl Scout workshopsGirl Scout workshops YWCA Teen Girls in TechnologyYWCA Teen Girls in Technology STEP program places CS majors in STEP program places CS majors in

schoolsschools

Middle School CampsMiddle School Camps

PicoCrickets and ScratchPicoCrickets and Scratch Alice and LEGO robotsAlice and LEGO robots RoboCup Jr campRoboCup Jr camp

High School CampsHigh School Camps

Alice, LEGO robots, and Media Alice, LEGO robots, and Media Computation in PythonComputation in Python

Girl Scout WorkshopsGirl Scout Workshops

Started in 2005 – total 190 girlsStarted in 2005 – total 190 girls– Dad and me Dad and me – 2 LEGO robot workshops2 LEGO robot workshops

2006-2007 - total 372 girls2006-2007 - total 372 girls– Dad and meDad and me– 3 LEGO robot workshops3 LEGO robot workshops– 1 Alice workshop1 Alice workshop

2007-2008 – total 1595 girls2007-2008 – total 1595 girls– Dad and MeDad and Me– Mom and meMom and me– 10 4-hour workshops – LEGO robots, PicoCrickets, 10 4-hour workshops – LEGO robots, PicoCrickets,

Alice, and ScratchAlice, and Scratch

Dad and MeDad and Me

Dads camp with their daughtersDads camp with their daughters– program a robot to go through a program a robot to go through a

coursecourse

Mom and MeMom and Me

Moms camp with their daughtersMoms camp with their daughters– do PicoCricket activitiesdo PicoCricket activities

Four Hour WorkshopsFour Hour Workshops

YWCA TGI-TechYWCA TGI-Tech

After school program at 4 local After school program at 4 local middle schoolsmiddle schools– First LEGO League teamFirst LEGO League team

Other Research Other Research ActivitiesActivities Attracting African Attracting African

American males to American males to computing by computing by having them be having them be game testersgame testers

Using social Using social networks to attract networks to attract students to students to computingcomputing

Having students Having students design a chat client design a chat client

ProgressProgress

In 2004 there were In 2004 there were 44 AP CS 44 AP CS teachersteachers in Georgia in Georgia– many of these were in private schoolsmany of these were in private schools

In 2007-2008 there were In 2007-2008 there were 86 AP CS86 AP CS teachers in Georgiateachers in Georgia– exceeded our goal of a 50% increaseexceeded our goal of a 50% increase– but still less than 25% of all the but still less than 25% of all the

schools in Georgiaschools in Georgia

Attracting Students?Attracting Students?

Huge growth in our Girl Scout Huge growth in our Girl Scout workshopsworkshops– statistically significant positive statistically significant positive

changes in attitudes from 4 hour changes in attitudes from 4 hour workshopsworkshops

There has been in increase in all There has been in increase in all female FIRST LEGO League female FIRST LEGO League teamsteams

Students report an increase in Students report an increase in interest in computing after the interest in computing after the summer campssummer camps– And some have become CS And some have become CS

undergrads at Georgia Techundergrads at Georgia Tech The percentage of non white and The percentage of non white and

non Asian AP CS takers is 22-non Asian AP CS takers is 22-28%28%

The percentage of women taking The percentage of women taking the AP CS exam is still between the AP CS exam is still between 16-22%16-22%

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2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008

Number of Students

Number of Students

Georgia CS AP A

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2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

year

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female

white/asian

minority

Barriers to DiversityBarriers to Diversity

StereotypesStereotypes– exclude females, African exclude females, African

Americans, HispanicsAmericans, Hispanics– one principal at a majority one principal at a majority

minority school won't offer AP minority school won't offer AP CS because "These kids aren't CS because "These kids aren't going to college"going to college"

The myth of natural abilityThe myth of natural ability– some people just get itsome people just get it– implies others can't learnimplies others can't learn

Lack of access and experienceLack of access and experience– digital dividedigital divide

Teachers don't recruitTeachers don't recruit– Sending a letter home doubles Sending a letter home doubles

class sizes and increases class sizes and increases diversitydiversity

Future PlansFuture Plans

Apply for a 2 year extension on the NSF BPC Apply for a 2 year extension on the NSF BPC grantgrant– and possibly 5 additional years after thatand possibly 5 additional years after that

Create lesson plans and assessment materials Create lesson plans and assessment materials for the new computing pathway using our for the new computing pathway using our workshop materialsworkshop materials– started summer 2008started summer 2008

Recruit teachers from majority minority schools Recruit teachers from majority minority schools Seed summer camps at high schoolsSeed summer camps at high schools

– gives teachers a reason to practice what they learn gives teachers a reason to practice what they learn in the teacher workshopin the teacher workshop

– should also increase the number of robot teamsshould also increase the number of robot teams Hold a RoboCup Jr regional competitionHold a RoboCup Jr regional competition

ResourcesResources

Georgia Computes websiteGeorgia Computes website– http://www.cc.gatech.edu/gacomputeshttp://www.cc.gatech.edu/gacomputes

Institute for Computing Education Institute for Computing Education websitewebsite– http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/ice-gthttp://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/ice-gt//

Scratch websiteScratch website– http://scratch.mit.eduhttp://scratch.mit.edu

Alice websiteAlice website– http://www.alice.orghttp://www.alice.org

Resources - ContinuedResources - Continued

Media Computation websiteMedia Computation website– http://http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/mediaCompcoweb.cc.gatech.edu/mediaComp

-teach-teach Alice and Media Computation websiteAlice and Media Computation website

– http://http://home.cc.gatech.edu/TeaPartyhome.cc.gatech.edu/TeaParty PicoCricket websitePicoCricket website

– http://http://picocricket.compicocricket.com// LEGO education websiteLEGO education website

– http://http://www.legoeducation.comwww.legoeducation.com//

Funding SourcesFunding Sources

National Science FoundationNational Science Foundation– Broadening Participation in ComputingBroadening Participation in Computing– Course, Curriculum, Laboratory Course, Curriculum, Laboratory

ImprovementImprovement Atlanta Women's FoundationAtlanta Women's Foundation Toyota FoundationToyota Foundation Georgia Department of EducationGeorgia Department of Education Georgia Tech's College of ComputingGeorgia Tech's College of Computing

What can you do?What can you do?

Make sure that your school is offering Make sure that your school is offering computer sciencecomputer science– train teachers and counselorstrain teachers and counselors

Use an interesting curriculumUse an interesting curriculum– that emphasizes problem solvingthat emphasizes problem solving– not just cut and paste (do as I do)not just cut and paste (do as I do)

Recruit students for computer scienceRecruit students for computer science– offer summer campsoffer summer camps– do competitionsdo competitions

Companies need to reach out to younger kidsCompanies need to reach out to younger kids– if they want to increase the numbers and the if they want to increase the numbers and the

diversitydiversity