Assessing the impact of STEM programming on children and youth.

In the twenty-first century, coding literacy provides individuals with a host of useful skills and competencies as well as accompanying psychological benefits. Yet, at present, very few pedagogical models or curricula include coding literacy as a central focus. STEM interventions, often found in after-school care programs and summer camps, help address this gap by offering targeted programming aimed at developing these competencies in children and youth. The present project will help assess the benefits and effectiveness of one of these programs by investigating how an exposure to STEM programming impacts the grit levels of the children in grades 1 through 8. This study will also assess the program’s structure, and include interviews with program participants assessing their experience.

Faculty Supervisor:

Carolyn FitzGerald;Julie Mueller

Student:

Daniel Anderson

Partner:

Canada Learning Code

Discipline:

Psychology

Sector:

Education

University:

Wilfrid Laurier University