BPC-DP:Animal Tlatoque: A Synergy between Mesoamerican Cultural History and Endangered Species to attract and retain Latina/os and Females in Computer Science

加州大学圣巴巴拉分校提议创建一个项目，将计算机教育与中美洲文化和濒危物种保护等主题结合起来，这些主题具有文化相关性，对拉丁裔和女性及其家庭具有吸引力。重点不是将生态或文化研究作为目的，而是作为一种手段，让学生对计算感兴趣。这些主题将激励目标群体中的学生在学校表现优异，进入大学，并选择计算机作为职业。其目标是吸引新学生，即对计算机还不感兴趣的学生。该计划将包括一个暑期计划，以及长期的指导、建议和跟踪。在为期4周的暑期课程中，学生将学习文化、历史和保护方面的知识，以此作为实现真正目标的动力：学习计算机科学。然后，参与者将使用编程和网络技术来创建并通过eVoices网站与他们的同龄人和他们的父母分享艺术、故事和游戏。一项全面的后续计划将在现有大学课程(Path)的分层指导和支持下，吸引和留住从中学到大学的学生。这种方法如果成功，可以在许多机构使用不同的与文化相关的主题进行复制，以吸引目标人群。

The University of California-Santa Barbara proposes to create a program that integrates computing education with topics -- Mesoamerican culture and conservation of endangered species -- that are culturally relevant and attractive to Latina/os and females and their families. The focus is not on ecology or cultural studies as an end, but rather as a means to interest students in computing. The themes will motivate students from the targeted groups to excel in school, attend college, and choose computing as a career. The goal is to attract new students, students who are not already interested in computing. The program will include a summer program, in conjunction with long-term mentoring, advising, and tracking. Over the course of the 4 week summer program, students will learn about culture, history, and conservation as motivators for the real goal: learning about computer science. Participants will then use programming and web technology to create and share art, stories, and games with their peers and their parents through the eVoices web site. A comprehensive follow-up plan will engage and retains students from middle school through university with hierarchical mentoring and support from existing university programs (Pathways). The approach, if successful, can be replicated at many institutions using different culturally-relevant topics that appeal to their target populations.