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Title: Integrating Computer Science in Science Classrooms: Learning Computational Thinking and Expanding Perceptions of Computer Science
We will present emerging findings from an ongoing study of instruction at the intersection of science and computer science for middle school science classrooms. This paper focuses on student knowledge and dispositional outcomes in relation to a 2 week/10-lesson learning sequence. Instruction aims to broaden participation in STEM pathways through a virtual simulated internship in which students inhabit the role of interns working to develop a restoration plan to improve the health of coral reef populations. Through this collaborative work, students construct understanding of biotic and abiotic interactions within the reef and develop a computational model of the ecosystem. Analysis of pre/post surveys for n=381 students revealed that students who participated in the 2 week/10 lesson integrated computational thinking in science learning sequence demonstrated significant learning gains on an external measure of CT (0.522***; effect size=0.32). Drawing on scales from the Activation Lab suite of measures, pre/post surveys revealed increased competency beliefs about computer programming (mean difference =1.13***; effect size=1.01), and increased value assigned to STEM (0.78***; effect size=0.945). We also discuss the design of the instructional sequence and the theoretical framework for its development.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1657002
PAR ID:
10215760
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
NARST 2021 ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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