Enhancing Middle-School Students' Interest in Coding Through a Tabletop Automated Greenhouse Project (Poster 6)

• In Event: Thursday Poster Session 12:40 pm
  In Poster Session: Engineering and Computer Science Education Posters

Abstract

This study examines the impact on middle-school students’ coding interest following a project-based learning approach involving a tabletop automated greenhouse. Using physical computing, students experienced how their codes could influence the greenhouse conditions by controlling different devices (e.g, fans). Data were collected through pre and post surveys and student interviews, and then those were analyzed in an explanatory mixed methods approach. Findings indicate an increase in coding interest across all students, regardless of race, gender, pre-survey score, or teacher. However, students with higher pre-survey scores demonstrated relatively greater interest gains, suggesting the curriculum's differential impact based on initial interest levels of the students. These results highlight the potential of our curriculum in fostering coding interest among students.

Authors

• Daniel Raphael, Boston College

• Sheikh Ahmad Shah, Boston College

• Jaai Uday Phatak, Boston College

• Avneet Hira, Boston College

• Helen Zhang, Boston College

• Michael Barnett, Boston College