Defining Computational Thinking for STEM

• In Event: Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: Learning Sciences SIG Poster Session

Abstract

With the inclusion of “Computational Thinking Skills” in the Next Generation Science Standards, a new urgency has come to challenge defining what exactly is meant by computation thinking (CT). In response to this challenge, we propose a definition for CT in STEM that draws on existing CT and STEM literature and is grounded in authentic CT in STEM practices. Our definition takes the form of a skills taxonomy that breaks CT in STEM skills into four main categories: Data and Information Skills, Modeling and Simulations Skills, Computational Problem Solving Skills, and Systems Thinking Skills. In this paper, we present our taxonomy along with a broader motivation for this work and a discussion of the procedure followed to produce our definition.

Authors

• David Weintrop, Northwestern University

• Elham Beheshti, Northwestern University

• Michael S. Horn, Northwestern University

• Kai Orton, Northwestern University

• Kemi Jona, Northwestern University

• Laura Trouille, Northwestern University

• Uri J. Wilensky, Northwestern University