Investigating Conceptual Foundations for a Transdisciplinary Model Integrating Computer Science into the Elementary STEM Curriculum

计算已经成为现代科学、技术工程和数学（STEM）领域实践的一个组成部分。因此，STEM+计算伙伴关系（STEM+C）计划寻求在K-12 STEM教学和学习中整合计算方法的使用，并了解这种整合如何提高STEM学习，参与度和持久性。计算思维（CT）是一个相对较新的教育重点，也是学习者作为21世纪技能的明确需求。该项目将为年轻学习者解决这一具有挑战性的新领域，这一领域非常需要研究和学习材料。布劳沃德县学校的扫盲和课程协调员团队将与他们的员工和教师合作，开发基于问题的学习（PBL）集成计算机科学（CS）和科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）模块，以及围绕这些模块的专业发展材料。芝加哥大学的一个研究小组将进行强有力的研究，以评估这些材料的有效性，以及是什么促成了这种有效性。与著名的非营利性组织Code.org的合作为广泛传播材料带来了巨大的潜力，因为Code.org网站经常被教师和课外/非正式教育者用来获取教学材料。在布劳沃德县公立学校（FL）、芝加哥大学的研究人员和Code.org之间的合作中，主要研究人员提议将3-5年级的计算机科学（CS）和科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）整合在一起。这一阶段涵盖了科学课程，其单元目前涵盖了科学、技术、工程和数学的综合内容。他们计划在这门课程中增加6个基于问题的学习（PBL）单元，将CS和STEM结合起来。他们将到达14所学校的84个3 - 5年级教室。他们将在14所学校试用这些模块，然后在每种情况下（模块和无模块）对大约84名教师和1680名学生进行效果试验。他们将衡量成绩和对STEM和CS的态度。

Computing has become an integral part of the practice of in modern science, technology engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. As a result, the STEM+Computing Partnership (STEM+C) program seeks to integrate the use of computational approaches in K-12 STEM teaching and learning and understand how this integration can improve STEM learning, engagement, and persistence. Computational Thinking (CT) is a relatively new educational focus and a clear need for learners as a 21st century skill. This prokect will address this challenging new area for young learners, an area greatly in need of research and learning materials. Broward County Schools' literacy and curriculum coordinator team will work with their staff and teachers to develop Problem Based Learning (PBL) integrated Computer Science (CS) and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) modules, and professional development materials around these modules. A University of Chicago research team will conduct strong research studies to evaluate the effectiveness of these materials and what contributes to that effectiveness. The collaboration with the well known non profit Code.org leads to strong potential for wide dissemination of materials, as the Code.org site is used very frequently by teachers and after-school/informal educators to obtain instructional materials.In a partnership between Broward County Public Schools (FL), researchers at the University of Chicago, and Code.org, the Principal Investigators propose to integrate Computer Science (CS) and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at the grade 3-5 level within the literacy block of the school day. This period is when the science curriculum is covered, in units that currently cover integrated content in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. They plan to add 6 Problem Based Learning (PBL) units to this curriculum that integrate CS and STEM. They will reach 84 grade 3 - 5 classrooms at 14 schools. They will pilot the modules 14 schools, and later, conduct an efficacy trial with approximately 84 teachers and 1680 students in each condition (modules, no modules). They will measure both achievement and attitudes towards STEM and CS.