Bioinformatics and computational biology have become indispensable in modern biological research, yet introductory resources remain scarce. "FILTERED," an innovative online educational tool that introduces high school students to fundamental bioinformatics concepts through engaging puzzle-based gameplay, was developed to address this…

Recently, there has been a surge in developing curricula and tools that integrate computing (C) into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs. These environments foster authentic problem-solving while facilitating students' concurrent learning of STEM+C content. In our study, we analyzed students' behaviors as they worked in…

Computational thinking (CT) is vital for success in numerous domains. However, the nature, definition, and scope of CT are ill-defined, and research on how best to develop CT is very limited. This study focused on how thinking styles and STEM attitudes have effects on computational thinking. Using a proportionate stratified random sampling…

Computational thinking (CT) is an important twenty-first century skill that begins developing early. Recent interest in incorporating early CT experiences in early childhood education (i.e., preschool) has increased. In fact, the early years mark an important time during which initial competencies are acquired, interest and motivation begins to…

The transition from school-level mathematics to the more abstract and formal structures in universities poses challenges for many first-year physics students. To address this gap, most physics faculties offer a mathematics pre-course. Here, we report about a pre-posttest study investigating the impact of a pre-course on N = 56 first-year physics…

This dissertation examines the response of a group of educators to a state mandate to integrate computational thinking (CT) into all levels of the curriculum. It explores the historical development of CT and its significance within the broader context of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education, emphasizing the rapid growth and…

The importance of incorporating digital technologies into early childhood education is now widely accepted to help position children as creative producers and not just consumers of technology. Early childhood educators in turn have a key role to play in developing technology-related skills and competencies such as coding and computational thinking…

The role of computation in science is ever-expanding and is enabling scientists to investigate complex phenomena in more powerful ways and tackle previously intractable problems. The growing role of computation has prompted calls to integrate computational thinking (CT) into science instruction in order to more authentically mirror contemporary…

Computational thinking is an important skill applicable to multiple disciplines and can be difficult to teach due to the stress and frustration novice learners feel from cognitively challenging learning activities. While existing theories like Zone of Proximal Development, Flow Theory, and Zone of Proximal Flow suggest that an ideal mode of…

Computational thinking (CT) has been regarded as an essential skill set that students should acquire from their early years of life. As a thinking practice applicable to problem-solving processes, it has been argued that CT can be demonstrated and incorporated into other disciplines. While most studies have focused on CT integration with science,…

Investigating students' thinking in classroom tasks, particularly in science and engineering, is essential for improving educational practices and advancing student learning. In this context, the notion of "Ways of Thinking" (WoT) has gained traction in STEM education, offering a framework to explore how students approach and solve…

Background: Computational thinking (CT) is a cognitive approach intricately linked with core competencies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Numerous studies have explored strategies to effectively integrate CT into STEM education and systematically evaluated the multidimensional impact on student learning outcomes.…

Artificial intelligence (AI) education is becoming an advanced learning trend in programming education. However, AI subjects can be difficult to understand because they require high programming skills and complex knowledge. This makes it challenging to determine how different departments of students are affected by them. This study draws on…

Model-eliciting activities (MEAs) challenge students to interpret a problem and collaboratively create solutions using the engineering design process. This Innovation to Practice article describes how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teacher educators can use MEAs to build elementary teachers' understanding of computational…

Recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI) and multimodal learning analytics (MMLA) have allowed for new and creative ways of leveraging AI to support K12 students' collaborative learning in STEM+C domains. To date, there is little evidence of AI methods supporting students' collaboration in complex, open-ended environments. AI…