Date of Award

5-2022

Degree Type

Honors College Thesis

Academic Program

Computer Science BS

Department

Computing

First Advisor

Sarah B. Lee,Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Sabine Heinhorst, Ph.D.

Advisor Department

Computing

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the effectiveness of a transdisciplinary approach in teaching computational thinking through dance to elementary-aged learners, with primary attention to females. With limited literature available on how pre-adolescents begin to construct conceptions of computer science and other engineering domains, including potential career pathways, the incentive of this project was to leverage a day camp for about 20 rising 3rd - 5th-grade learners to assess their identity development in computer science. Modules that teach computational thinking through dance paired with Unruly splats (block-based programmable electronic gadgets) were implemented. By conducting pre-and post-surveys and a 'draw a computer scientist' exercise at the beginning and at the end of the dance modules held on day 2 of the camp, the researcher was able to evaluate and determine the effect of the transdisciplinary approach on the elementary learners' perceptions and self-efficacy.

Keywords: self-efficacy, computer science, women, dance, algorithm, coding, computational thinking

Download

Share

COinS