Unlocking Students Potential in Programming with Coding Bootcamps

在改进的本科生STEM教育：拉美裔服务机构(HSI计划)的支持下，这一Track 1项目旨在改善波多黎各大学庞塞分校(UPRP)本科生入门编程课程的结果。全国范围内对更多的计算机专业人员的需求很大，UPRP已经看到计算机科学课程的注册人数增加。该项目将实施编码训练营，作为联合课程的支持，以加强编程技能并改善参加算法和程序开发I和II课程的学生的成绩，这些课程是UPRP的核心计算机科学课程。这些训练营将提供面对面、在线和自定进度的选项，并将包括特定技能培训、编码项目和互动、引人入胜的比赛。该项目还将为学生提供通过公司之旅和跟踪体验探索职业生涯的机会。该项目的最终目标是为计算机科学专业的学生创造一个支持性的环境，培养他们的社区感，提高编程技能，并增强他们的整体体验。该项目的主要目标是评估联合课程编码训练营对学生的学习成绩、动机、编程技能的信心、参与度、归属感和同伴关系的影响。该项目将鼓励学生在计算机领域探索令人兴奋和有利可图的职业机会。这些行业经验，以及该项目对加强学生成绩和提高UPRP计算机科学学位的重视，也将扩大拉美裔个人在计算劳动力中的参与。在一个典型的学期里，在课程学习的同时提供训练营体验，而不是学期前或暑期体验，相对来说是不常见的，并代表着高等教育社区潜在的新知识来源。项目研究和评价将探讨这一模式的影响，确定执行工作中特别有效的方面，并提供将支持采用和适应广泛机构的见解。将通过网络研讨会和讲习班分享所取得的成果，促进交流计算机科学教育方面的见解和最佳做法。该项目由HSI计划资助，该计划旨在加强本科生STEM教育，扩大对STEM的参与，并建设HSIS的能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With support from the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI Program), this Track 1 project aims to improve outcomes for undergraduate students in introductory programming courses at the University of Puerto Rico at Ponce (UPRP). There is a substantial need nationwide for additional computing professionals, and UPRP has seen increased enrollment in computer science courses. This project will implement coding bootcamps as co-curricular supports to strengthen programming skills and improve outcomes for students enrolled in Algorithms and Programs Development I and II, which are core computer science courses at UPRP. These bootcamps will be offered with face-to-face, online, and self-paced options and will involve skill-specific training, coding projects and interactive, engaging contests. The project will also include opportunities for students to explore careers through company tours and shadowing experiences. The ultimate goal of the project is to create a supportive environment that fosters a sense of community, improves programming skills, and enhances the overall experience for computer science students.The primary objectives of the project are to assess the impact of co-curricular coding bootcamps on students' academic performance, motivation, confidence in programming skills, engagement, sense of belonging, and peer connections. The project will encourage students to explore exciting and lucrative career opportunities in computing. These industry experiences and the project's emphasis on strengthening student outcomes and increasing degree attainment in computer science at UPRP will also broaden participation of Hispanic individuals in the computing workforce. Offering bootcamp experiences in parallel to coursework across a typical semester, as opposed to as a pre-semester or summer experience, is relatively uncommon and represents a source of potential new knowledge for the higher education community. Project research and evaluation will explore the impact of this model, identify aspects of the implementation that are particularly effective, and provide insights that will support adoption and adaptation to a broad collection of institutions. Results obtained will be shared through webinars and workshops, facilitating the exchange of insights and best practices in computer science education. This project is funded by the HSI Program, which aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education, broaden participation in STEM, and build capacity at HSIs.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.