Department

Computer Science

Major

Computer Science

Research Advisor

Tauritz, Daniel R.

Advisor's Department

Computer Science

Funding Source

Missouri S& T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program Collaborative Research Experience for Undergraduates in Computer Science and Engineering (CREU) Grant from the Computing Research Association Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research (CRA-W)

Abstract

The goal of this project is to create recruitment software to aid in reversing the alarming trend of decreasing interest in Computer Science (CS) among American students, particularly women. The current generation of American students, especially women, tends to be attracted to fields with clear social relevancy. Third through sixth grade is a crucial time when students form their opinions about, and interests in, math and science. Misconceptions about what CS is and a lack of understanding regarding its many socially relevant applications creates negative associations during this crucial time. These negative associations can result later in many women students not picking the math and science classes that would prepare them for a CS career, ultimately lowering CS enrollment. Our recruitment software explains in an entertaining way what CS is and showcases its social relevancy through a series of highly visual, interactive games & puzzles, and illustrates CS alumni careers.

Biography

Jasmine Glaese went to Cuba High School and is currently a senior at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She is pursuing a minor in Mathematics and Spanish. Her team, consisting of Lisa Guntly and Valerie Houseman, received fourth place at the 2007 ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) Mid-Central USA Programming Contest. She is also a member of ACM-W (ACM for women), ACM, National ACM, and UPE (Upsilon Pi Epsilon), the International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines. Her hobbies are drawing, coloring, singing, writing, and playing and programming games.

Research Category

Management and Information Systems

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Document Type

Poster

Award

Management and Information Systems poster session, Second place

Location

Havener Center, Upper Atrium/Hallway

Presentation Date

9 Apr 2008, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Share

COinS
 
Apr 9th, 8:00 AM Apr 9th, 5:00 PM

Computer Science Recruitment for the 21st Century (CSRecruit21)

Havener Center, Upper Atrium/Hallway

The goal of this project is to create recruitment software to aid in reversing the alarming trend of decreasing interest in Computer Science (CS) among American students, particularly women. The current generation of American students, especially women, tends to be attracted to fields with clear social relevancy. Third through sixth grade is a crucial time when students form their opinions about, and interests in, math and science. Misconceptions about what CS is and a lack of understanding regarding its many socially relevant applications creates negative associations during this crucial time. These negative associations can result later in many women students not picking the math and science classes that would prepare them for a CS career, ultimately lowering CS enrollment. Our recruitment software explains in an entertaining way what CS is and showcases its social relevancy through a series of highly visual, interactive games & puzzles, and illustrates CS alumni careers.