Technology is an increasingly omnipresent and rapidly changing component of today's world. As a result, there is an urgency to develop talent in the field of computer science (CS). The purpose of this article is to examine ways that educational systems can develop students' talents to fill the need for skilled CS professionals. We provide an…

Research Questions: While community college transfer (i.e., upward transfer) represents an important mechanism for advancing equity across STEM fields, existing studies of gender and women's participation within computer science have largely excluded the perspectives of upward transfer students. We address this gap in the literature by exploring…

Computational thinking (CT) is an important twenty-first century skill that begins developing early. Recent interest in incorporating early CT experiences in early childhood education (i.e., preschool) has increased. In fact, the early years mark an important time during which initial competencies are acquired, interest and motivation begins to…

Collaborative dialogue offers rich insights into students' learning and critical thinking. This is essential for adapting pedagogical agents to students' learning and problem-solving skills in STEM+C settings. While large language models (LLMs) facilitate dynamic pedagogical interactions, potential hallucinations can undermine confidence, trust,…

This article illustrates the potential for hackathons to serve as an innovative educational tool in addressing the underrepresentation of minority communities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Using Merced, California--a region recognised for its agricultural economy, socioeconomic disparities, and diverse…

Students must grasp creative thinking as a crucial 21st-century talent to enhance learning achievement. Empirical research indicates that pupils' creative thinking skills and learning achievements require enhancement and attention. This study examines the impact of a project-based learning framework with STEAM methodology and self-efficacy levels…

Although the process of inquiry is guided by questions, the result is rarely a clear answer. Instead, deep investigation--despite producing data, results, and evidence--ultimately results in a lot more questions. The author, rather than feeling disillusioned by that reality, has come to accept it as the cyclical nature of research. For more than…

In the digital age, it's crucial to equip children with twenty-first-century skills, including programming and other competencies such as creativity, analytical thinking, and collaboration. This study introduces an integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum focused on computer science for educators. It explores…

There are currently too few computer science faculty to meet student demand, and faculty from historically minoritized groups are severely underrepresented. Expanding pathways from community colleges to PhDs is one critical avenue to both grow and diversify the computer science professoriate that has been underexplored. To gain insight into these…

K-12 computer science (CS) education has emerged as a vital component of modern education, nurturing computational thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy. This study examines the K-12 CS education dynamics, emphasizing its impact and implications, particularly in the context of equity. Twitter data from 2017 to 2021 were collected,…

During young adolescence, many youth develop strong identities in relation to science, technology, engineering and mathematics with computing (STEM + C). One way to design for student engagement in STEM + C is to create project-based units that leverage students' interests. We created one such unit, called the "smart greenhouse project".…

Background and Context: Although computing is a highly sought-after skill set in our modern economy, certain individuals are under represented in computer science (CS) courses and careers. The integration of visual and performing arts in K-12 CS education has been gaining "STEAM" as a viable strategy for making computing more inclusive.…

This research aimed to develop and evaluate a gamified learning game using the Kid-Bright board to teach introductory coding skills for controlling lamps and fans to 12th-grade students. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, involving the design and development of the game based on gamification principles, followed by an evaluation by three…

RoblockLLy is an educational robotics simulator designed for primary and secondary school students, whose goal is to increase their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In the particular case of computer science, it allows developing computational thinking skills. It has been designed with ease of use in mind. This free…

Background and Context: Cultural and social influences from peers, family, and media shape young people's views on technology careers. This study examines Danish students' perceptions and discourses of IT professionals and technology occupations. Objective: Unlike earlier studies focusing on science or STEM as a monolith, this study specifically…