ERIC Number: EJ1454887
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Dec
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2520-8705
EISSN: EISSN-2520-8713
Computational Thinking during a Short, Authentic, Interdisciplinary STEM Experience for Elementary Students
Jessica F. Cantlon; Katherine T. Becker; Caroline M. DeLong
Journal for STEM Education Research, v7 n3 p425-443 2024
STEM experiences that capture students' curiosity have a unique role in inspiring awe in science, enculturing science engagement, and recruiting students to pursue STEM careers. Here, we present a unique interdisciplinary STEM experience for elementary school students that teaches them to write computer code to test primate intelligence at a zoo where they test their code with real monkeys. In a pilot study involving 3rd to 6th grade students, we find that students can acquire "hard skills" in computational thinking during this short-term immersive STEM experience, with a significant increase in accuracy and problem-solving attempts at post-test. Furthermore, students' interests in animal science, computers, and robots remain stable or even increase following this experience, demonstrating the project's capacity to blend technical skills with authentic scientific exploration. Teachers' feedback highlights the positive impact on critical thinking and leadership. This research underscores the potential of free-form, authentic, interdisciplinary STEM experiences to simultaneously nurture computational skills and a passion for science.
Descriptors: Authentic Learning, Interdisciplinary Approach, STEM Education, Elementary School Students, Computation, Thinking Skills, Problem Solving, Minicourses, Grade 3, Grade 5, Grade 4, Grade 6, STEM Careers, Student Interests, Student Recruitment, Educational Experience, Recreational Facilities, Primatology, Coding, Job Skills, Student Attitudes, Public Schools
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Grade 3; Primary Education; Grade 5; Intermediate Grades; Middle Schools; Grade 4; Grade 6
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York (Rochester)
Grant or Contract Numbers: 2148343