Georgia Computes! Barbara Ericson Institute for Computing Education Georgia Tech Nov 29 th 2006

Broadening Participation in Computing National Science Foundation (NSF) grant National Science Foundation (NSF) grant 2 million over 3 years2 million over 3 years The goal is to increase the number of students in computing in Georgia The goal is to increase the number of students in computing in Georgia Especially womenEspecially women And under-represented minoritiesAnd under-represented minorities

There is a Shortage of CS Students The number of CS majors has dropped 40% since 2001 The number of CS majors has dropped 40% since 2001 NationwideNationwide The percentage of women has dropped to about 15% The percentage of women has dropped to about 15% From a high of about 40% in the early 80sFrom a high of about 40% in the early 80s There has never been representative numbers of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans There has never been representative numbers of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans

What is Driving Women Away? Myth: All the jobs are gone Myth: All the jobs are gone We are in a shortage situationWe are in a shortage situation Microsoft has 5,000 jobs they can’t fill Microsoft has 5,000 jobs they can’t fill The shortage is predicted to growThe shortage is predicted to grow Myth: All you do is sit at a computer Myth: All you do is sit at a computer Team work is importantTeam work is important Many CS jobs require great people skillsMany CS jobs require great people skills Myth: The job is boring and tedious Myth: The job is boring and tedious Money magazine rated Software Engineer as the #1 jobMoney magazine rated Software Engineer as the #1 job Based on creativity, growth, pay and other factors Based on creativity, growth, pay and other factors Lack of knowledge about the field Lack of knowledge about the field

Georgia Computes Plan University Level University Level Workshops for Georgia undergrad facultyWorkshops for Georgia undergrad faculty Workshop and seed money to start other summer campsWorkshop and seed money to start other summer camps High School Level High School Level Continue teacher workshopsContinue teacher workshops Place 4 STEP students in high schoolsPlace 4 STEP students in high schools Pay undergrads to work with girl scouts and YWCAPay undergrads to work with girl scouts and YWCA Middle School Level Middle School Level Pay undergrads to work with girl scouts and YWCAPay undergrads to work with girl scouts and YWCA All Levels All Levels On-line space to support and encourage studentsOn-line space to support and encourage students

Work with Girl Scouts Started April 2005 Started April 2005 LEGO Robot workshopsLEGO Robot workshops Sat-Sun Dad and me sessions in September Sat-Sun Dad and me sessions in September Sat 4 hour workshops (10am – 2pm) Sat 4 hour workshops (10am – 2pm) Robot basics Nov 11, 2006Robot basics Nov 11, 2006 Robot basics March 10, 2007Robot basics March 10, 2007 Advanced robotics April 14, 2007Advanced robotics April 14, 2007 Alice workshop (10am – 2pm)Alice workshop (10am – 2pm) Feb 3, 2007 Feb 3, 2007 Would like to add PICO crickets and ScratchWould like to add PICO crickets and Scratch Help at summer campsHelp at summer camps

Dad and Me Events

Work with YWCA TGI-Tech TGI-Tech interest girls in science, math and technologyinterest girls in science, math and technology 3 after school programs with 15 girls in each 3 after school programs with 15 girls in each Chapel Hill Middle SchoolChapel Hill Middle School Bunch Middle SchoolBunch Middle School Shamrock Middle SchoolShamrock Middle School Meet 2 times a week Meet 2 times a week 2 meet Tues and Thurs 4pm – 6pm2 meet Tues and Thurs 4pm – 6pm 1 meets Tues and Wed 4pm – 6pm1 meets Tues and Wed 4pm – 6pm

YWCA Plan Have undergrads introduce the girls to computing Have undergrads introduce the girls to computing Using LEGO robotsUsing LEGO robots Using PICO CricketsUsing PICO Crickets Using ScratchUsing Scratch Using AliceUsing Alice Assist at other sessions Assist at other sessions Kitchen Science Investigations (KSI)Kitchen Science Investigations (KSI) Help other volunteersHelp other volunteers

LEGO Mindstorms NXT

NXT Advantages Easier to build than old RIS robots Easier to build than old RIS robots About 30 minutes instead of 2-4 hoursAbout 30 minutes instead of 2-4 hours More powerful More powerful More computing powerMore computing power Ultrasonic sensorUltrasonic sensor Built-in rotation sensorsBuilt-in rotation sensors Rechargeable batteryRechargeable battery Can be used in competitions Can be used in competitions FIRST LEGO LeagueFIRST LEGO League RoboCup JuniorRoboCup Junior

PICO Crickets Arts and Crafts for the Digital Age Arts and Crafts for the Digital Age

Cricket Advantages Creative projects Creative projects Not just cars, tanks, and sumobotsNot just cars, tanks, and sumobots Girl friendly Girl friendly Many girls think of LEGOs as a toy for boysMany girls think of LEGOs as a toy for boys Easy to program Easy to program Simple to use drag-and-drop softwareSimple to use drag-and-drop software

Alice Free software from CMU Free software from CMU Drag and drop programmingDrag and drop programming Create 3d movies and gamesCreate 3d movies and games Has been shown to help students succeed in intro coursesHas been shown to help students succeed in intro courses

Scratch Free software from MIT Free software from MIT Drag and drop programmingDrag and drop programming Create 2d animations and gamesCreate 2d animations and games Just released but we used a beta version in the middle school campJust released but we used a beta version in the middle school camp

What do I need? Students who can work some weekends Students who can work some weekends With the girl scoutsWith the girl scouts Students who can work Tues, Wed, or Thurs from 4pm – 6pm (but with travel about 3pm-7pm) Students who can work Tues, Wed, or Thurs from 4pm – 6pm (but with travel about 3pm-7pm) With the YWCAWith the YWCA Students who can create projects for middle and high school students Students who can create projects for middle and high school students We will try them on the girl scouts and YWCAWe will try them on the girl scouts and YWCA We will use them in summer campsWe will use them in summer camps We will distribute to 4,000 teachers at NECCWe will distribute to 4,000 teachers at NECC Students who can count and sort robot kits Students who can count and sort robot kits We lend kits to teachers for up to 3 weeksWe lend kits to teachers for up to 3 weeks Additional small jobs like giving a talk at a school Additional small jobs like giving a talk at a school

What do I need? Mostly female students Mostly female students Students who enjoy working with middle and high school kids Students who enjoy working with middle and high school kids Students who like learning new things and coming up with ideas that are fun Students who like learning new things and coming up with ideas that are fun Students who are enthusiastic about computing! Students who are enthusiastic about computing!

Next Steps Send me Send me What jobs you are interested inWhat jobs you are interested in Hours and days you are availableHours and days you are available Number of hours you currently work for Georgia TechNumber of hours you currently work for Georgia Tech Why you are interested in this job?Why you are interested in this job? Do you have transportation?Do you have transportation? 1-2 references1-2 references Your resumeYour resume

Next Steps I will interview in December and Jan I will interview in December and Jan I would like to have at least some people hired by Jan I would like to have at least some people hired by Jan Once you are hired we will pay you as we train you Once you are hired we will pay you as we train you We will pay for all travel costs We will pay for all travel costs You will submit a time sheet to be paid and paid once every 2 weeks You will submit a time sheet to be paid and paid once every 2 weeks

Questions? Do I have to work 15 hours a week? Do I have to work 15 hours a week? No, if you only want to work a few hours a week occasionally that is fine.No, if you only want to work a few hours a week occasionally that is fine. You can’t work more than 20 hours for Georgia Tech a week.You can’t work more than 20 hours for Georgia Tech a week. Do I have to work every week? Do I have to work every week? NoNo What is the pay? What is the pay? Up to $16 an hour (average $12)Up to $16 an hour (average $12)