Lara Niemchick
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Research Mentor(s): Audrey Bennett, Professor
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Stamps School of Art & Design,
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 3 (1pm-1:50pm)
Breakout Room: Room 6
Presenter: 5
Abstract
Underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is evident among underrepresented communities, particularly racial minorities, women, and lower-class individuals. Middle and High School students’ level of exposure to STEM arguably determines their pursuit of a STEM major or career, but many students in lower-class and racial minority groups have very low levels of exposure to STEM. CSDT.org was created to show the existing heritage algorithms embedded in culturally-situated artifacts and processes to increase the motivation among underrepresented students toward STEM majors and careers. With the Seeing Heritage Algorithms workshop conducted using CSDT.org, students are taught about the background of culturally-situated traditions like AfroFuturism, shown examples of visual programming language to generate these cultural patterns, given a chance to simulate their own patterns using the same software, and finally given materials to make their own physical art representing their simulated design. This workshop (to be conducted April 5th-9th) is expected to increase students’ knowledge of computing with a pre/post survey.
Authors: Ron Eglash, Lara Niemchick, Audrey Bennett
Research Method: Community Based Research
https://csdt.org/ https://www.baohouse.org/heritagealgorithms
