CAREER: Supporting Computational Algorithmic Thinking (SCAT) - Exploring the Development of Computational Algorithmic Thinking Capabilities in African-American Middle School Girls

斯佩尔曼学院（Spelman College）的支持计算算法思维（SCAT）项目包括发展计算思维和鼓励非裔美国中学生考虑从事计算机科学职业的活动。在三年的时间里，女孩们参加为期两周的夏令营，学习设计互动游戏。他们参加研讨会、实地考察和游戏设计竞赛。斯佩尔曼学院（Spelman College）的计算算法思维专家以及计算机科学专业的本科生指导中学生设计游戏和探索相关的STEM职业。研究计算算法思维的发展是该项目的一个组成部分。研究人员正在调查中学女生如何发展计算思维和解决问题的能力。游戏设计已经被证明是一个对青少年有吸引力的领域，它需要广泛的问题解决能力和计算算法思维。在个人和团队设计游戏的背景下，研究人员正在评估女孩如何发展计算算法思维，以及她们经历了哪些困难。研究人员还在评估项目经历如何影响学生对自己作为问题解决者的自我认知。与此同时，女孩们也参与了教育体验，她们有望获得数学、编程、推理以及游戏设计方面的知识。研究数据包括学生创造的人工制品、观察、参与者日记和访谈。计算算法思维是大多数STEM职业的基本技能。非裔美国女性在许多STEM领域的代表性不足，尤其是在计算机科学领域。该项目的目标是为女孩提供这些基本技能，并增强她们参与STEM教育的信心。该项目还让参与的女孩接触到各种各样的STEM职业。此外，项目中产生的材料、课程计划和活动可供其他有兴趣设计类似课程的团体免费使用。

The Supporting Computational Algorithmic Thinking (SCAT) project at Spelman College includes activities that develop computational thinking and encourage middle school, African-American girls to consider careers in computer science. Over a three-year period, the girls attend summer camp sessions of two weeks where they learn to design interactive games. They participate in workshops, field trips, and game-design competitions. Experts in Computational Algorithmic Thinking as well as undergraduate, computer science majors at Spelman College guide the middle-school students in their design of games and exploration of related STEM careers.Research on the development of Computational Algorithmic Thinking is an integral part of the project. The researcher is investigating how middle-school girls develop computational thinking and problem solving skills. Game design has been shown to be an area that is attractive to adolescents and it requires extensive problem solving and computational algorithmic thinking. Within the context of designing games individually and within groups, the researcher is assessing how the girls develop computational algorithmic thinking, and what difficulties they experience. Researchers are also assessing how the project experiences influence the students' self-perceptions of themselves as problem solvers. At the same time, the girls engaged in educational experiences where they are expected to gain knowledge in mathematics, programming, and reasoning, as well as game design. Research data consists of artifacts that the students have created, observations, participant journals, and interviews.Computational Algorithmic Thinking is an essential skill for most STEM careers. African-American women are underrepresented in many STEM fields and especially in computer science. The goals of the project are to prepare girls with these essential skills and to increase their confidence in participating in STEM education. The project is also exposing participating girls to a wide variety of STEM careers. In addition, the materials, lesson plans, and activities generated in the project are available to be used, without charge, by other groups interested in designing similar programs.