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Computer Science Principles
AP Annual Conference Submission
Douglas Kiang
Computer Science Teacher
Punahou School
In this session, teachers will learn five strategies for recruiting and retaining girls and minorities in computer science, and see real examples of these strategies in action. We’ll also discuss the importance of community in the classroom, and of creating a sense of belonging for students, no matter their background, gender, or amount of previous experience. We’ll present current research on unconscious bias in the classroom, and how it affects the experience of girls and minorities, as well as research that shows that integrating a project-based approach with a focus on design provides greater meaning and context to the work of learning computer science, attracting and retaining larger numbers of girls and minorities. It also models the growth mindset that educators such as Carol Dweck have promoted for enhancing understanding in complex tasks. Finally, we’ll use as a case study one particular approach to teaching AP Computer Science Principles that focuses on “inclusive rigor.”