Building BRIDGES Within the Undergraduate Major in Computer Science

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In this project, investigators from UNC Charlotte are building a softwareinfrastructure named ``BRIDGES" (Bridging Real-world InfrastructureDesigned to Goal-align, Engage and Stimulate) to transform studentexperiences in computing education. The primary goal of the project is toimprove retention of CS majors, especially at the sophomore level. BRIDGESfacilitates a hands-on experience for solving traditional problems in computerscience using real-world information systems, such as Facebook, Twitter,Google Maps, etc. BRIDGES is being integrated into two computer sciencerequired courses, the senior capstone course and the sophomore leveldata structures and algorithms course, enabling a senior-sophomore bridge.Sophomore and senior students in these courses will partner in joint labsessions to utilize and create new extensions to the BRIDGES infrastructureto support data structures programming assignments. Sophomores will act ascustomers for the new tools and data sets created by seniors and use them intheir course programming assignments. In this manner, BRIDGES will create amore connected student body by partnering sophomores and seniors, whichshould lead to improved student retention and engagement. BRIDGES isbeing built using open source and web technologies, promoting easydissemination. Two workshops on the BRIDGES system will be held,involving educators from regional colleges and high schools, includingminority and underrepresented institutions. An additional workshop will beheld associated with a major education conference. Students from the STARS Alliance (an NSF funded Broadening Participation in Computing consortium) will be given access to the learning materials and infrastructure to incorporate into their outreach and teaching activities.