Department
Computer Science
Major
Computer Science and Biological Sciences
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
Lisa Guntly is the daughter of Michael and Maureen Guntly from St. Louis. She is currently a senior at Missouri S& T and is double majoring in Computer Science and Biology. She is interested in research combining those two fields of study and is planning to continue attending Missouri S& Tin the fall to get a master's degree in computer science. Her major research interests for the future include the areas of evolutionary algorithms and bioinformatics in Computer Science.
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
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.
