Closing the STEM Gap: A University, P-12 School District Partnership to Engage Sixth Grade Students in Integrated Computing Activities

Authors

Michiko McClary, Morris CollegeFollow
Deidra Morrison, Independent Technical R&D Consultant and Freelance DeveloperFollow
Kamilah Brown, STEAME Logic LLCFollow
Y. Rochelle Bennett, Orangeburg County School DistrictFollow

Abstract

This article describes how participating in a computing program positively impacted young adolescents from underrepresented populations in STEM attitude toward STEM and interest in STEM- related careers. Nineteen sixth-grade students attending a rural, Title I middle school participated in the study. Five computing lessons were taught by undergraduate interns majoring in computer science, middle-level mathematics and science teacher education, and secondary mathematics teacher education. Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data provide convincing evidence that students’attitudes toward STEM improved and interests in STEM-related careers increased because of participating in the computing program.

Recommended Citation

McClary, M. B., Morrison, D., Brown, K., & Bennett, Y. R. (2022). Closing the STEM gap: A university, p-12 school district partnership to engage sixth grade students in integrated computing activities. South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal, 132-136.