Learning about Pioneers who broke Social Perceptions in Computer Science and Mathematics Instructor: Michael Deredita CST 1100: Introduction to Computer Systems CST Department

CST 1100: Introduction to Computer Systems CST 1100 is the introduction course for Computer Systems Technology The course is designated as a ‘Writing Intensive Course’ The first chapter gives an introduction to the history of computing The rest of the chapters cover an introduction into various computer science topics including but not limited to: number systems, circuit logic, low and high level programming languages, algorithms, data structures, operating systems, artificial intelligence, and networks.

Project Students use the City Tech Library to research someone who made a contribution in the field of Computer Science, Technology, or Mathematics. In their research, they give a brief history of the person, identify what achievements were made, how they shaped technology today, if the person had to overcome any hardship, discrimination, or any other adversity, and were they able to overcome it.

Three Parts to the Project Library Date:  This class takes place in the library, where students are introduced to the Library, and how to do the research needed for their papers and presentations. This class was held the third week of the semester. Presentations: Students pick a person and do basic research that will go towards their paper. Students present in front of the class, so students can learn about various people from underrepresented groups, who made major contributes in Computer Science, Technology, and Mathematics. This was done the second week of October. Paper: Students compose a formal paper in MLA format using library sources about the person they chose for their presentation.

Goal of Semester Project Helping Computer Science Technology students build a deeper connection to the subject through research and presentations by learning about the achievements in Computer Science, Technology, and Mathematics made by people from underrepresented groups.

Project Guidelines Choose one of the following people: Annie Easley Ada Lovelace Kathleen Booth Clarence Ellis Alan Turing Grace Hopper James Edward Maceo West Gerald Lawson Dr. Mark Dean ...or pick someone else who made contributions in the field of Computers and Mathematics. Please do not pick Bill Gates, Tim Cook, Mark Zuckerberg, or Steve Jobs. What contributions did they make? Did they face any adversity, discrimination, or injustice? How did their contributions shape the technology we use today?

Annie Easley – Worked for NASA, created software for the Centaur rockets Ada Lovelace – Mathematician, who invented the Loop Kathleen Booth – Created the first assembly language Clarence Ellis – Created the first clickable icon and OfficeTalk Alan Turing – Father of Artificial Intelligence and World War 2 codebreaker Grace Hopper – Invented COBOL programming language Gerald Lawson – Created first gaming console with a cartridge game Dr. Mark Dean – Help create first color PC monitor.

Presentations Students prepared and presented their presentations the second week of October in front of the class. Each presentation was about five minutes long. The presentations had students learn about the many accomplishments in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Technology made by people from underrepresented groups

Collecting Student Feedback Students were handed a blank sheet of paper at the end of the presentation class and asked to anonymously openly and honestly write about how this project affected them, if they felt more connected to the subject matter, and if it changed their overall perspective in any way. A student collected the responses and I stepped out of the room while they provided feedback.

Student Feedback Overall feedback was overwhelmingly positive. 18 out of 22 students present in class that evening submitted written feedback. 17 of the 18 responses were positive towards the topic The only completely negative response was in regards to not liking writing/presentation assignments. Another student stated they enjoyed the assignment and great learning experience. However, they were critical about how a few students had picked the same people for their presentations.

Student Feedback “I am more interested in majoring in CST. It helped me to change my perspective towards computer science, which is that it’s not hard as long as I work for it.” “Having these presentations made me aware of all the types of people who contributed to computer science. I learned a lot about many different people, who I had no idea existed. Overall, I think these presentations were extremely informative.”

Student Feedback “It got me thinking about all the struggles many people had to go through, so we could have the technology that we do today. This changed my perspective about technology.” “After watching and listening to my fellow classmates on computer pioneers, I have much respect [for the] women who overcame racial segregation and debugging gender roles.”

Student Feedback “I learned a lot about some of the people who paved the way in technology. They had many adversities… I also feel like I can make a difference in technology now in this time, especially [with] the hardships they went through in a time when they were not widely accepted for who they were.”