ITA Software's Technical Seminar Series

Talk Topic: Teaching Mathematics and Problem-Solving Through Programming
Emmanuel Schanzer, Bootstrap
April 22, 2009

Abstract

Most people agree that students should be exposed to some form of Computer Science before graduating high school, but there is little consensus about what kind of exposure is best. At the same time, Algebra has been identified as a pivotally important concept for students, both as the crucial gateway to higher forms of mathematics and as an indicator of future success. This talk explores Bootstrap, a particular approach to computer science education that focuses on Algebra instruction as a natural format for computer programming. Over the course of nine classes, students are exposed to functions and variable, and use their knowledge to design and build a simple video game. Bootstrap is currently active in the middle schools around the country, using volunteer teachers from companies and universities to teach programming to children as young as ten years old.

Bio

Emmanuel Schanzer is the Program Director for Bootstrap, an organization which trains volunteer teachers to bring functional computer programming to underprivileged middle school students around the country using the curriculum he's developed since 2004. He began teaching Computer Science in 2000, teaching students at Cornell University how to program in Scheme, and later constructed Bootstrap to teach the same concepts as part of an after-school program. He is now a Doctoral Candidate at Harvard University, studying Cognitive Science and Mathematics Instruction.