Abstract
Many disciplines within the geosciences require computational skills to
access, analyze, and visualize data. These are skills students need to
be competitive in the work environment. Applying computational thinking
and basic coding into the classroom can diversify student learning,
develop 21st century skills, and demonstrate real world applications
through project based learning. Teaching students to have a broad base
of knowledge and a range of skills is paramount in developing career
ready-students. Working in collaboration with members of the Earth
Science Information Partners (ESIP) Education committee, education
professionals from UNAVCO, NOAA, Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale
Meteorological Studies and teachers from schools around the country are
exploring the use of basic coding and programmable robots as a
springboard to learn computational thinking and skills within an Earth
science context. By encouraging teachers to learn how to code, we help
them to encourage their students to be creators, more than just
consumers, of the technology around us and to foster curiosity that
whets their appetites to learn more!. This presentation will elaborate
upon coding in the classroom initiatives these partners are facilitating
from workshops, learning materials, and insights from workshop feedback.