DOE OSTI · 3484508
Fostering Computational Thinking within Elementary Classrooms through a Research-Practice Partnership: A Strategy for Broadening Participation in Computer Science
Abstract
This paper describes a research-practice partnership involving twenty elementary teachers and a support team of university researchers and K-12 learning specialists. Over five years, the partnership explored ways to highlight and to expand computational thinking within math and science instruction. The project sought to increase student awareness, confidence, and fluency with computational thinking as a problem-solving approach, with particular attention to students from groups historically underrepresented in computer science. Based on feedback from across the partnership – together with analysis of student attitude and problem-solving data – this experience report identifies successes, challenges, and recommendations for future study.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Caffee, Hannah [Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000314014921), Sayler, Ben [Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0000000331048368), Anderson, Ann [Belle Fourche School District, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000840451910), Arnold, Lynn [Rapid City Area Schools, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000124786031), Hammel, Koreen [Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, Rapid City, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000483752343), Lange, Pamela [Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, Rapid City, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000976335302), Lundgren, Joy [Calvary Christian School, Rapid City, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000824478881), Myers, Rebecca [Wall School District, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000842025499), Reiner, Nicol [Sanford Underground Research Facility, Lead, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000977949509), Webber, Kimberly [Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000478542093), Wysuph, Michelle [Rapid City Area Schools, SD (United States)] (ORCID:0009000325142785). 2026-06-08. Fostering Computational Thinking within Elementary Classrooms through a Research-Practice Partnership: A Strategy for Broadening Participation in Computer Science. https://doi.org/10.1145/3796496.3811761
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.