CryptoClub Afterschool and Online: Broad Implementation

作为在非正式环境中加强学习的总体战略的一部分，推进非正式STEM学习(AISL)计划为各种环境中使用的研究和创新资源提供资金。这个广泛的实施项目将扩大CryptoClub项目的规模，这是一个旨在吸引中学生学习数学和密码学的课外和在线项目。该项目建立在以前成功的工作和评估的基础上，这些工作和评估已准备好利用通过与全国女童合作组织的伙伴关系实施的培训员培训模式扩大规模。该项目将培训160名新的CryptoClub领导人，然后他们将在20个枢纽地点培训800名新领导人，覆盖9600名学生。此外，专业发展单元和网络研讨会将继续更新领导技能。其他项目组成部分包括一个在线多人密码游戏，通过社交媒体每周一次的挑战，以及为学生提供的数字密码学徽章。这项研究使用了有声思考的方法，让学生们实际尝试使用数学思维来解决密码学问题。在项目期间，将进行三项有声思考研究。研究小组将对采访记录进行编码，以寻找每项活动所涉及的数学思维的证据，并捕捉各种意想不到的思维。任务也将根据获取的知识类型进行评分。一份书面报告将包括对有声思考和面试回应的统计分析，并根据CryptoClub的总体目标进行解读。这些发现将对未来的研究工作和实践做出贡献。EDC的评估采用准实验设计，评估培训人员、领导者、学生和互联网用户的项目结果。EDC还将调查CryptoClub模型在扩大规模时的保真度。这些研究具有很大的潜力，可以为许多其他正在考虑扩大规模的项目提供信息。

As a part of its overall strategy to enhance learning in informal environments, the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program funds research and innovative resources for use in a variety of settings. This Broad Implementation project would scale up the CryptoClub Project, an afterschool and online program designed to engage middle school youth in mathematics and cryptography. The project builds on previous successful work and evaluation that is ready for scale up using a train-the-trainer model implemented through a partnership with the National Girls Collaborative. The project will train 160 new CryptoClub leaders who will then train 800 new leaders at 20 hub sites reaching 9600 students. In addition, professional development modules and webinars will continue to refresh leader skills. Other project components include an online multiplayer cryptography game, weekly challenges through social media, and digital cryptology badges for students. The research uses a think-aloud method with students as they actually attempt to solve the cryptology problems using mathematical thinking. Three think-aloud studies will be performed during the Project. The research team will code transcripts of the interviews for evidence of the mathematical thinking intended to be addressed by each activity, as well as capturing unexpected kinds of thinking. Tasks will also be rated according to the type of knowledge elicited. A written report will include statistical analyses of the think-aloud and interview responses, interpreted in light of the overall CryptoClub goals. The findings will contribute to both future research efforts and practice. The evaluation by EDC uses a quasi-experimental design, which assesses project outcomes for trainers, leaders, students, and Internet users. EDC will also investigate the fidelity to the CryptoClub model as it is scaled up. These studies have strong potential for informing numerous other projects that are at a stage where scale up is under consideration.