About the DIVAS Project
Project Summary
- Explore the effectiveness of image capture and analysis as a computational application utilized in introductory-level biology and chemistry courses to increase self-efficacy in utilizing computers to solve a problem.
- Explore the effectiveness of coding boot camps on student attitudes toward computation and their ability to demonstrate effective computational thinking.
- Measure impacts of paired programming projects, code reviews, and professional development seminars on self-efficacy and ability to apply computational skills.
- Investigate the impact of curricular and co-curricular interventions in computation on student preferred and actual career path.
- Researching new pathways for training natural science majors in computation and programming;
- Increasing the number of skilled computationally trained scientists entering the workforce;
- Building a partnership between Doane and St. Edward's and the Software Carpentry Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the computational literacy of scientists;
- Developing new curriculum, including image processing modules for classroom use, a programming boot camp, and an image processing bootcamp; and
- Form a foundation for the creation of a broader DIVAS network for wider implementation of successful interventions.
The DIVAS Project has the real potential to provide an intense, positive impact not only a core cohort of nearly 20 diverse and underrepresented STEM students, and also undergraduate students in STEM majors at Doane and St. Edward's. The project is ultimately a scalable series of successful interventions that will develop diverse, computationally skilled STEM professionals who will address immediate and future STEM workforce challenges.
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