Unlocking Students Potential in Programming with Coding Bootcamps

在改善本科STEM教育：西班牙裔服务机构（HSI计划）的支持下，这个第一轨道项目旨在改善波多黎各大学庞塞分校（upp）本科编程入门课程的成果。全国范围内对计算机专业人员的需求很大，upp已经看到了计算机科学课程的入学率增加。该项目将实施编码训练营，作为辅助课程支持，以加强编程技能，并改善upp核心计算机科学课程算法和程序开发I和II的学生的成果。这些训练营将提供面对面、在线和自定进度的选择，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参观和影子体验探索职业的机会。该项目的最终目标是创造一个支持性的环境，培养社区意识，提高编程技能，并增强计算机科学专业学生的整体体验。该项目的主要目标是评估课外编程训练营对学生学业成绩、动机、编程技能信心、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。这些行业经验和该项目对加强upp学生成绩和提高计算机科学学位的强调，也将扩大西班牙裔个人在计算机劳动力中的参与。在一个典型的学期中，提供与课程作业并行的训练营体验，而不是作为学期前或暑期体验，相对来说是不常见的，它代表了高等教育界潜在的新知识来源。项目研究和评估将探索该模式的影响，确定实施中特别有效的方面，并提供见解，以支持广泛机构的采用和适应。研究结果将透过网络研讨会和工作坊分享，促进对计算机科学教育的见解和最佳实践的交流。本项目由科学与技术研究所资助，旨在加强科学与技术研究所的本科教育，扩大科学与技术研究所的参与，并加强科学与技术研究所的能力建设。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.