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Georgia Computes!

The Georgia Computes initiative, funded by a $2 million NSF grant over three years, aims to significantly increase the number of students pursuing computing degrees in Georgia, particularly among women and underrepresented minorities. With a noted 40% decline in CS majors since 2001, and only 15% female representation, this program tackles misconceptions about computing careers and fosters engagement through diverse workshops and activities across educational levels. By involving undergraduates to mentor younger students, this initiative seeks to inspire a future generation of computer scientists.

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Georgia Computes!

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

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

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

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

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

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

  7. Dad and Me Events

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

  9. YWCA Plan • Have undergrads introduce the girls to computing • Using LEGO robots • Using PICO Crickets • Using Scratch • Using Alice • Assist at other sessions • Kitchen Science Investigations (KSI) • Help other volunteers

  10. LEGO Mindstorms NXT http://mindstorms.lego.com/

  11. NXT Advantages • Easier to build than old RIS robots • About 30 minutes instead of 2-4 hours • More powerful • More computing power • Ultrasonic sensor • Built-in rotation sensors • Rechargeable battery • Can be used in competitions • FIRST LEGO League • RoboCup Junior

  12. PICO Crickets • Arts and Crafts for the Digital Age http://www.picocricket.com/

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

  14. Alice • Free software from CMU • Drag and drop programming • Create 3d movies and games • Has been shown to help students succeed in intro courses http://www.alice.org/

  15. Scratch • Free software from MIT • Drag and drop programming • Create 2d animations and games • Just released but we used a beta version in the middle school camp http://scratch.mit.edu/

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

  17. What do I need? • Mostly female students • 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 are enthusiastic about computing!

  18. Next Steps • Send me (ericson@cc.gatech.edu) • What jobs you are interested in • Hours and days you are available • Number of hours you currently work for Georgia Tech • Why you are interested in this job? • Do you have transportation? • 1-2 references • Your resume

  19. Next Steps • I will interview in December and 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 • We will pay for all travel costs • You will submit a time sheet to be paid and paid once every 2 weeks

  20. Questions? • 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. • You can’t work more than 20 hours for Georgia Tech a week. • Do I have to work every week? • No • What is the pay? • Up to $16 an hour (average $12)

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