NSF Grant To Help Kennesaw State Address Need For Computer Science Teachers

Press release from Kennesaw State University:

Apr 5, 2021

NSF grant to help Kennesaw State address need for computer science teachers

KENNESAW, Ga.
(Apr 5, 2021) — Kennesaw State University computer science professor Dan Lo and mathematics education associate professor Brian R. Lawler have
been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to help meet the increasing
demand for computer science teachers in grades 6-12.

The College of Computing and Software Engineering will partner with the Bagwell College of Education, as well as with the Georgia Department of Education and local school districts,
to create multiple programs to train teachers in computer science. The one-year, $75,000
NSF grant has a stated goal to “create a metro Atlanta hub for computer science teacher
education at KSU.”

Dan Lo
Georgia is one of several states to adopt standards requiring all middle and high
schools to offer computer science courses within the next few years, transforming
it into a comprehensive discipline rather than a handful of elective classes. However,
Lo pointed out, many schools do not have teachers who have a computer science degree
or work experience in the field, leaving the classes to be taught by teachers without
expertise in that specific area.

“There is absolutely a need for this, not only in Georgia but nationally, because
a lot of K-12 schools cannot find computer science teachers,” said Lo, the principal
investigator for the grant. “Our goal is to foster and grow computer science teachers
who are not just qualified to teach the subject, but are high-quality educators dedicated
to the field of computer science.”

That will involve developing as many pathways as possible for Kennesaw State to train
computer science teachers, with the College of Computing and Software Engineering
providing the disciplinary expertise and the Bagwell College of Education the teaching
expertise. The possibilities already being discussed, according to Lo and Lawler,
include adding a computer science concentration to the Master of Arts in Teaching,
establishing a teaching minor in the computer science degree program, and creating
a graduate-level endorsement.

Brian R. Lawler
“This is an excellent move that the College of Computing and Software Engineering
is committing to preparing computer science teachers while continuing the ongoing
partnership between CCSE and the Bagwell College of Education,” Lawler said. “Our
neighboring school districts are clamoring for the college of education to be offering
computer science teacher preparation pathways, so Dr. Lo’s grant comes at a great
time.”

Lo and Lawler hope to extend the initiative beyond the one year covered by the NSF
grant by applying for funding from the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. That
would provide scholarships and other support for students and professionals in STEM
(science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines to pursue one of Kennesaw
State’s pathways toward becoming computer science teachers.

“These computer science teaching pathways provide additional opportunities for Kennesaw
State to produce and support STEM teachers,” Lawler said. “When KSU has a large and
robust community of future and current STEM educators, it helps our efforts for recruitment
and retention and creates ecosystem of opportunities in STEM education and research.”

Along with helping meet the need for middle and high school teachers, the initiative
also will provide another career option for computer science students and professionals.
While many graduates might envision working as a software developer, computer programmer
or systems analyst, becoming a computer science teacher could be a rewarding alternative.

“A computer science teaching career may be a great choice for STEM majors or graduates
who have never thought about it,” Lo said. “We want the next generation to have at
least some basic computer science concepts so that they can use that knowledge to
make their lives better.”

– Paul Floeckher

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.