EDC to Lead Project on Integrating Computer Science into Elementary Math
EDC has received an award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support elementary school teachers in integrating computer science (CS) into mathematics instruction. The new award enables EDC to expand the successful work of Math + C, a previous NSF-funded project that examined a new approach to improving mathematics education by using programming as a language to help children express and investigate mathematical ideas.
Over the next four years, EDC investigators June Mark, Deborah Spencer, Kristen Reed, and Kate Coleman will conduct the project “Building Teacher Capacity to Integrate Computer Science in Elementary Mathematics” in 12 schools across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and South Carolina.
The team will use online Math + C modules that were developed by EDC’s Paul Goldenberg, Mark, Spencer, Reed, and Coleman to strengthen the mathematical and computational thinking (CT) skills of students in grades 2–5. Each online module revolves around a “microworld”—a programming environment that provides a limited number of tools to complete a specific task. Children assemble blocks of code using Snap!, a visual blocks-based programming language, to solve the puzzles, which gradually increase in complexity.
“In Math+C, we found that children became enthusiastic ‘doers’ of mathematics by constructing their own mathematical ideas, exploring the ideas with a computer, and discussing the ideas,” says Mark. “We are excited by the opportunity to share this approach with more schools and to examine its potential to strengthen children’s mathematics learning, expand access to CS education, and foster future career readiness.”
The team will:
- Develop, test, and widely disseminate teacher resources and professional learning opportunities that support classroom implementation of Math+C modules.
- Investigate and advance knowledge of how supports for teachers build their capacity to use the modules to improve students’ mathematics and CS learning.
Learn more about EDC’s work to improve STEM Education and Workforce Development.
