Research Projects
Research Partners:
Research funding supports CodeVA’s capacity to evaluate our impact and grow our mission to bring equitable computer science education to all of Virginia’s students. CodeVA has worked in collaboration with the following corporations, foundations, and governmental organizations:
Amazon |
Microsoft |
CSforAll |
National Science Foundation |
US Department of Education |
Commonwealth of Virginia |
Virginia Department of Education |
|
Current Projects:
Reaching Across the Hallway: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Teaching Computer Science in Rural Schools: NSF #2010256
Funded in partnership with University of South Florida and TERC through the National Science Foundation’s Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12) program.
Summary:
This project is creating and implementing a model for integrating computer science standards into social studies content in 5, rural Virginia middle school districts. This project plans to develop a model to scale state-wide.
Research Priorities:
CS Equity, CS Self-Efficacy, Cultural Relevance in Instruction, Broadening Participation, Skill and Knowledge Acquisition.
Computer Science For and By Teachers: An Integrative Toolkit for 3rd-5th Grade Classrooms: NSF #2031258
Funded in partnership with researchers at University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University and Chesterfield County and Petersburg Public Schools through the National Science Foundation’s CS for All program.
Summary:
This project is developing and testing a model to support urban and suburban elementary teachers in developing their own culturally relevant lesson plans that integrate CS and CT across core subjects (math, social studies, science, English language arts). This project plans to develop a professional development model and lesson plan toolkit to share state-wide.
Research Priorities:
CS Equity, CS Self-Efficacy, Cultural Relevance in Instruction, Broadening Participation, Skill and Knowledge Acquisition.
Preparing K-5 Teachers to Integrate the Computer Science Standards of Learning in Inclusive Classrooms to Support Students with High Incidence Disabilities
Collaborating as a subcontractor of George Mason University, Old Dominion University and Norfolk City Public School through the National Science Foundation’s STEM+C program.
Summary:
This project is generating a usable, comprehensive, effective, and appealing model of professional development to support CS integration in elementary instruction for all learners, with an emphasis on supporting students with high-incidence disabilities in Norfolk City Public Schools.
Research Priorities:
CS Equity, Broadening Participation, Skill and Knowledge Acquisition.
Everyday AI for Youth: Investigating Middle School Teacher Education, Classroom Implementation, and the Associated Student Learning Outcomes of an Innovative AI Curriculum
Collaborating as a provider of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston College through the National Science Foundation’s ITEST program.
Summary:
This project is developing a Everyday Artificial Intelligence for Youth (EdAI) program and teacher professional development model in 40 middle school teachers from school districts across Florida, Illinois, and Virginia.
Research Priorities:
Broadening Participation, CS Identity, Supporting Participants as Learners or Instructors, Skill and Knowledge Acquisition.
Advancing Rural Computer Science (ARCS)
Collaborating as a provider of The Center for Educational Partnerships and School of Continuing Education at Old Dominion University through the US Department of Education’s Education Innovation and Research Early-Phase (EIR) program.
Summary:
This project is developing and evaluating the effectiveness of instructional materials that integrate computer science curriculum standards into core elementary subject areas to increase student readiness for STEM and computer science coursework in higher grade levels. Teacher participants will acquire computer science microcredentials and be well-positioned to build capacity for K-5 computer science instruction with others at their school.
Research Priorities:
CS Equity, CS Self-Efficacy, Broadening Participation, Supporting Participants as Teachers or Learners, CS Identity, Skill and Knowledge Acquisition.
Maximizing Engagement Through Regular Immersion in Computer Science (METRICS)
Collaborating as a provider of Winchester Public Schools through the US Department of Education’s Education Innovation and Research Early-Phase (EIR) program.
Summary:
This project is a whole-school immersion approach, integrating CS across the curriculum at two K-4 elementary schools. By integrating CS into daily classroom and real-world experiences, this project brings CS to traditionally underrepresented, high-need students and strengthens students’ tethers to CS and STEM coursework.
Research Priorities:
CS Equity, CS Identity, Broadening Participation.
Aces Over ACSE: A Winning Combination for Advancing Computer Science Education in Virginia (AOAVA)
Collaborating with Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education and CodeRVA Regional High School through the Virginia Department of Education’s Advancing Computer Science Education (ACSE) program.
Summary:
This project helps teachers in 9 participating school divisions transform a research-based course titled Exploring Computer Science (ECS) into thematic, culturally relevant online modules. Paired with student challenges and a near-peer corporate mentorship network, this project fosters authentic and relevant educational opportunities and brings to life CS career opportunities.
Research Priorities:
CS Equity, Broadening Participation, Cultural Relevance in Instruction.
Professional Development and Regional Opportunities Generating Computing Resources And Microcredentials (PROGRAM)
Collaborating as a provider to Old Dominion University through the Virginia Department of Education’s Advancing Computer Science Education (ACSE) program.
Summary:
This project is broadening teacher and student access to CS education and developing a collaborative model of students’ learning and readiness for the 21st century workforce by increasing awareness and interest in CS career opportunities across the school ecosystem. This project will train and support 50 K-8 teachers in CS education and pilot a microcredential program as a method of recognizing teachers’ competence in CS integration.
Research Priorities:
Broadening Participation, CS Identity, Supporting Participants as Learners or Instructors.
CS-Ready Schools
Funded as a Virginia’s CS for VA initiative, a partnership between CodeVA and the Virginia Department of Education, through Amazon Future Engineer.
Summary:
This project expands computer science education for 500,000 students in mandatory K-8 Computer Science Standards of Learning and will create access to training for over 12,000 teachers, administrators and counselors in high need schools.
Research Priorities:
CS Equity, CS Identity, Broadening Participation, Supporting Participants as Teachers or Learners.
Gateway to Computer Science (SCRIPT Training)
Collaborating with Gateway Region Schools through the CSforAll.org Ecosystem for CS Education program.
Summary:
This project will develop from the CSforALL Script model a collaborative toolset and cooperative mindset in the Gateway region of Virginia. This ecosystem pilot presents an opportunity to allow regional stakeholders to own and understand how their region and their children will benefit.
Research Priorities:
CS Equity, CS Identity, Broadening Participation, Supporting Participants as Teachers or Learners.
TechSpark Region
Funded through Microsoft.
Summary:
This project supports CS training in 5 southern Virginia counties by engaging local partners and ensuring these rural communities develop digital skills and provide access to CS education and career pathways.
Research Priorities:
Broadening participation