Study to make computer science more accessible, fun for young students
Students with a basic knowledge of computer science are more likely to excel in a variety of subject areas, including mathematics, statistics, robotics, and more.
To make this critical field more accessible and fun for young students, an interdisciplinary group of researchers from Clemson University and the University of Georgia will use a $950,000 award from the National Science Foundation to partner with rural schools in South Carolina on a three-year research project.
Matthew Madison, an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, is collaborating with the study’s principal investigator, Danielle Herro, on collecting and analyzing data using quantitative methods that will allow findings to be generalized to other populations of teachers and students.
“The overarching goal of this project is to increase participation in STEM education, particularly among rural and special education elementary school populations by providing agile learning opportunities responsive to their needs,” said Madison. “The research-practice partnership is key here; we are combining the expertise and experiences of three groups that typically do not collaborate: teachers, researchers, and local industry professionals.”