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Georgia Computes!

Georgia Computes!. Barbara Ericson Institute for Computing Education Georgia Tech Nov 29 th 2006. Broadening Participation in Computing. National Science Foundation (NSF) grant 2 million over 3 years The goal is to increase the number of students in computing in Georgia Especially women

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Georgia Computes!

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  1. Georgia Computes! Barbara Ericson Institute for Computing Education Georgia Tech Nov 29th 2006

  2. Broadening Participation in Computing • National Science Foundation (NSF) grant • 2 million over 3 years • The goal is to increase the number of students in computing in Georgia • Especially women • And under-represented minorities

  3. There is a Shortage of CS Students • The number of CS majors has dropped 40% since 2001 • Nationwide • The percentage of women has dropped to about 15% • From a high of about 40% in the early 80s • There has never been representative numbers of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans

  4. What is Driving Women Away? • Myth: All the jobs are gone • We are in a shortage situation • Microsoft has 5,000 jobs they can’t fill • The shortage is predicted to grow • Myth: All you do is sit at a computer • Team work is important • Many CS jobs require great people skills • Myth: The job is boring and tedious • Money magazine rated Software Engineer as the #1 job • Based on creativity, growth, pay and other factors • Lack of knowledge about the field

  5. Georgia Computes Plan • University Level • Workshops for Georgia undergrad faculty • Workshop and seed money to start other summer camps • High School Level • Continue teacher workshops • Place 4 STEP students in high schools • Pay undergrads to work with girl scouts and YWCA • Middle School Level • Pay undergrads to work with girl scouts and YWCA • All Levels • On-line space to support and encourage students

  6. Work with Girl Scouts • Started April 2005 • LEGO Robot workshops • Sat-Sun Dad and me sessions in September • Sat 4 hour workshops (10am – 2pm) • Robot basics Nov 11, 2006 • Robot basics March 10, 2007 • Advanced robotics April 14, 2007 • Alice workshop (10am – 2pm) • Feb 3, 2007 • Would like to add PICO crickets and Scratch • Help at summer camps

  7. Dad and Me Events

  8. Work with YWCA • TGI-Tech • interest girls in science, math and technology • 3 after school programs with 15 girls in each • Chapel Hill Middle School • Bunch Middle School • Shamrock Middle School • Meet 2 times a week • 2 meet Tues and Thurs 4pm – 6pm • 1 meets Tues and Wed 4pm – 6pm

  9. YWCA Plan • Have undergrads introduce the girls to computing • Using LEGO robots • Using PICO Crickets • Using Scratch • Using Alice • Assist at other sessions • Kitchen Science Investigations (KSI) • Help other volunteers

  10. LEGO Mindstorms NXT http://mindstorms.lego.com/

  11. NXT Advantages • Easier to build than old RIS robots • About 30 minutes instead of 2-4 hours • More powerful • More computing power • Ultrasonic sensor • Built-in rotation sensors • Rechargeable battery • Can be used in competitions • FIRST LEGO League • RoboCup Junior

  12. PICO Crickets • Arts and Crafts for the Digital Age http://www.picocricket.com/

  13. Cricket Advantages • Creative projects • Not just cars, tanks, and sumobots • Girl friendly • Many girls think of LEGOs as a toy for boys • Easy to program • Simple to use drag-and-drop software

  14. Alice • Free software from CMU • Drag and drop programming • Create 3d movies and games • Has been shown to help students succeed in intro courses http://www.alice.org/

  15. Scratch • Free software from MIT • Drag and drop programming • Create 2d animations and games • Just released but we used a beta version in the middle school camp http://scratch.mit.edu/

  16. What do I need? • Students who can work some weekends • With the girl scouts • Students who can work Tues, Wed, or Thurs from 4pm – 6pm (but with travel about 3pm-7pm) • With the YWCA • Students who can create projects for middle and high school students • We will try them on the girl scouts and YWCA • We will use them in summer camps • We will distribute to 4,000 teachers at NECC • Students who can count and sort robot kits • We lend kits to teachers for up to 3 weeks • Additional small jobs like giving a talk at a school

  17. What do I need? • Mostly female students • Students who enjoy working with middle and high school kids • Students who like learning new things and coming up with ideas that are fun • Students who are enthusiastic about computing!

  18. Next Steps • Send me (ericson@cc.gatech.edu) • What jobs you are interested in • Hours and days you are available • Number of hours you currently work for Georgia Tech • Why you are interested in this job? • Do you have transportation? • 1-2 references • Your resume

  19. Next Steps • I will interview in December and Jan • I would like to have at least some people hired by Jan • Once you are hired we will pay you as we train you • We will pay for all travel costs • You will submit a time sheet to be paid and paid once every 2 weeks

  20. Questions? • Do I have to work 15 hours a week? • No, if you only want to work a few hours a week occasionally that is fine. • You can’t work more than 20 hours for Georgia Tech a week. • Do I have to work every week? • No • What is the pay? • Up to $16 an hour (average $12)

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