Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Computing in Undergraduate Education (IUSE: CUE)

Overview

<p>Computing is increasingly central to innovation across a wide range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary problem domains, resulting in undergraduate computer science, computer engineering, and information science programs being called upon to prepare larger and more diverse student populations. However, standard computing course sequences do not always serve these student populations well. Among other factors, a dearth of innovative, culturally relevant curricula and student support in undergraduate computing pathways have contributed to low participation of students from groups underrepresented in computing, leaving a huge swath of diverse talent untapped. In addition, valuable curricular reforms undertaken by a single institution often have limited impact on the larger academic community and do not account for the myriad of pathways students may take to arrive in computing courses. Given the role of two-year colleges in equipping students for both computing workforce needs and continued post-secondary education, it is also key to understand and support the many ways in which students experience these institutions throughout their computing education.</p> <p>With this solicitation, the National Science Foundation seeks a holistic restructuring of computing degree pathways. Specifically, organizations should collaborate to re-envision how to teach computing effectively to a broad group of students, in a scalable manner, with an emphasis on broadening participation of groups who are underrepresented and underserved by traditional computing courses and careers. These groups may include women, persons with disabilities, Blacks and African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Other Pacific Islanders.</p> <p><strong>With this solicitation, IUSE: CUE invites proposals for partnerships to re-envision how to teach computing effectively in a scalable manner focusing on those undergraduate students from groups underserved by traditional computing courses and careers.</strong></p> <p>Proposals will be funded across three tracks that focus on evidence-based transformative efforts to modernize computing courses and accelerate student success in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of current and emerging industries, and/or explore effective pathways to computing degrees and careers that involve two-year colleges and industry partnerships.</p> <p><strong>The Transformation track</strong> focuses on addressing one or more key challenges areas in transforming undergraduate computing education through innovative programs.</p> <p><strong>The Pathways track</strong> considers the multiple entry and exit points through two-year colleges as part of effective pathways to computing degrees and careers.</p> <p><strong>The Mobilizing track</strong> aims to develop a shared national vision around innovation and inclusion in undergraduate computing education. Proposals can consider virtual, hybrid, or in-person approaches but must provide a rationale for the expected success of the convenings.</p> <p>All proposal tracks prioritize the creation of environments that are inclusive, equitable, and supportive of students – particularly from those groups typically underrepresented in computing. In addition, innovative programs often offer an opportunity to recruit, welcome, and retain a much broader group of students, thereby benefiting all computing students and, more widely, the computing disciplines. With this in mind, proposals must include specific plans to broaden participation in computing (BPC).</p>