Embedded Files
Dr. Veronica Cateté
Dr. Veronica Cateté
Computing Education Research Engaging All Learners (CEREAL) Lab: http://go.ncsu.edu/cereal
Equity, Accessibility, and K-12 CS Education Content. REU participants will be able to choose either existing or self-developed activities, comparing their theoretical performance evaluation to their practical implementation in informal settings. Focusing on one of the three lenses, potential student projects may look to 1) identify how young women and diverse cultures are represented in specific CS learning activities and support materials, 2) investigate how lessons are scaffolded or embrace universal design to better support learners of varying skill levels, or 3) research student learning and engagement with activity content through user testing with multiple learner groups. REUs will use stakeholder and learner feedback from lesson implementations to iteratively refine the computing activities for both STEM and non-STEM contexts. After prototyping their improvements, REUs will pilot their creations in a low-stakes informal learning environment such as a summer camp that will provide quick feedback for later design iterations. REUs will analyze results on learners' attitudes, behaviors, and cognitive changes from surveys and interviews and present them at the end of summer events. This research contributes both to rapid software engineering design cycle practices as well as to findings on how intentional awareness of culture and accessibility in content can enhance student attitudes and learning in computer science.
Dr. Jessica Vandenberg
Dr. Jessica Vandenberg
Intellimedia Lab: https://www.intellimedia.ncsu.edu/
Elementary and Middle School Computer Science and AI Education. With a PhD in Educational Psychology, Dr. Vandenberg’s work is theory-driven and attentive to the practical needs and dynamics of classroom environments. Her research focuses on how children learn computer science (CS), computational thinking (CT), and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as how educators develop the knowledge and practices needed to support these learning experiences.
Current projects include:
(1) AI by 8: Supporting rural K–2 teachers in integrating foundational, fully unplugged AI literacy into standards-aligned instruction, particularly English Language Arts. Research opportunities include curriculum development, examining teacher learning and instructional practices, and analyzing teacher interviews and implementation data.
(2) TogetherCS: Investigating how upper-elementary students develop computational thinking through collaborative programming experiences. Research opportunities include examining student interactions, collaboration and problem-solving, analyzing programming activities, and supporting assessment development.
(3) PrimaryAI: Developing and studying developmentally appropriate AI learning experiences for elementary students, including interactive learning environments and foundational AI concepts. Research opportunities include curriculum and assessment development, examining student learning, and investigating how teachers introduce and implement AI concepts.
REU students will take appropriate leadership on a research topic of their choosing and work with mentors to complete all components of the research cycle, including ideation, planning, implementation, data collection, analysis, and evaluation. Students working with Dr. Vandenberg will focus primarily on the educational experiences and outcomes of students learning CS, CT, and AI, or on supporting teachers as they learn about and teach these subjects.
Dr. Bradford Mott
Dr. Bradford Mott
Intellimedia Lab: https://www.intellimedia.ncsu.edu/
Game-based learning and interactive narrative technologies for upper elementary and middle grades computer science and artificial intelligence education. Dr. Mott’s research spans artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction, with a focus on AI-driven technologies for game-based learning and interactive narrative. He serves as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator on projects supported by the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Education Sciences. His work has been recognized with several best paper awards, and he has contributed to award-winning video games, including one that received a Game of the Year award. His current projects explore how adaptive narrative-centered learning environments can support K–12 students’ learning in artificial intelligence, computer science, and science. REUs will work closely with Dr. Mott to select a topic aligned with their interests, such as (1) using large language models to provide adaptive guidance in game-based learning environments, (2) developing AI techniques that support students in constructing and exploring interactive storyworlds, and (3) analyzing gameplay data to understand how AI-driven guidance supports student learning and engagement. Dr. Mott will meet weekly with REUs working with him to guide their research activities.
Dr. Tiffany Barnes
Dr. Tiffany Barnes
Game2 Learn Research Lab: go.ncsu.edu/g2l
Applying AI to improve CS and AI education applications for K12 and early college students. Dr. Barnes' research program focuses on transforming education with AI-driven learning technologies and research on computing and AI education. REUs will work closely with Dr. Barnes and her graduate students to select a topic of their interest, such as (1) extending the BOTS or Resource Rush coding games to include more AI and/or CS learning content, (2) adding AI techniques to block-based coding environments to automatically detect user progress or struggle and provide encouraging messages, (3) extending her SnapClass project with AI-driven supports for CS and AI block-based programming and formal learning activities, or (4) integrating and investigating generative AI techniques into CS teaching and learning activities, e.g. story generation.
Dr. Aditi Mallavarapu
Dr. Aditi Mallavarapu
iEXCEL (Innovation for EXperiential Complex, open-Ended Learning) Lab: https://go.ncsu.edu/draditi
Dr. Georgie Jin
Dr. Georgie Jin
Extended Horizon Lab: https://extendedhorizon.com/
Dr. Andy Smith
Dr. Andy Smith
Intellimedia Lab: https://www.intellimedia.ncsu.edu/
Artificial intelligence and narrative planning. Dr. Smith's research interested currently emphasize (1) Building a Computational Thinking Foundation in Upper Elementary Science with Narrative-Centered Maker Environments, and an IES-funded project focuses on upper elementary science learning (2) Improving Conceptual Knowledge in Upper Elementary Science with Scaffolded Sketch- based Modeling. REUs will take appropriate lead on a topic of their interest centering around the two projects, such as (1) using AI techniques to provide guidance to upper elementary students creating digital stories using a custom block-based programming language, (2) using narrative planning techniques to assist learners in planning out their own stories, and (3) using AI techniques to automatically evaluate and provide feedback to student-generated drawings. Smith will hold weekly meetings with REUs working with him to guide their research activities.
Report abuse