This work examines the application of high-quality pedagogical practices in the design
and implementation of an after-school physical computing program aimed at providing middle school
students with access to computer science (CS) education. It subsequently examines how the program
influenced students’ learning of CS concepts and attitudes towards computing. The program was
designed and implemented through a school-university partnership, and 66 middle school students
voluntarily participated. There were two cohorts of students in the study. Results indicate that the
program had a positive impact on students’ understanding of CS concepts, and a significant impact
on attitudes towards computing was seen among those in the second cohort. Implications are drawn
for the design of informal after-school programs aimed at broadening participation in computing.
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Understanding the Peer Mentoring Experiences of High School Students in an Out-of-School STEM Camp: An Exploratory Study
- Award ID(s):
- 2048994
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10516642
- Publisher / Repository:
- Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the Learning Sciences-ICLS 2024,
- Date Published:
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Location:
- Buffalo, NY
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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