UW Science Initiative Programs Connect High School and Community College in Computational Learning

Representatives of the University of Wyoming’s Science Initiative Roadshow recently led an outreach session in Rock Springs centered on coding in various STEM (science, technology, engineering and technology) fields.

UW outreach assistants Sabrina White, Charlie Nuncio and Lena Schwebs led the session focused on engineering, health care, modeling and data analysis for researchers. Hands-on activities included learning how python coding works to find uranium deposits underground; creating circuits and coding Arduino microcontrollers to light up LEDs in certain patterns and change based on proximity to an obstacle; and using new-age robots called Sphero BOLTs to navigate physical challenges.

Western Wyoming Community College student Rylee Leavitt also joined the Roadshow scholars.

The collaboration grew out of a synergy between the Roadshow and Science Initiative’s sister program -- the Learning Actively Mentoring Program (LAMP). LAMP trains STEM faculty members across the state in high-impact active-learning methods. Josh Holmes, a Western faculty member and LAMP participant, identified Leavitt as a student who would “bring something special” to the Rock Springs outreach event.

“Rylee is a student who brings so much passion and enthusiasm in her science and art. She is a truly unique and amazing young woman,” Holmes says.

Rachel Watson, UW LAMP director, says Holmes’ recommendation was the foundation for including Western students in the program.

“When Josh told me about Rylee and her self-driven passion for computer science and pedagogy, I immediately had the idea of integrating her and other Western Wyoming students into the Roadshow network,” Watson says. “I wanted her to feel like she has community beyond Western Wyoming and that her love of computer science and teaching is shared by learners both older and younger than she is.”

White adds that it was “great to see” Rock Springs High School (RSHS) students in attendance, because they are thriving and generally interested in working with the different methods of coding.

“I think it was particularly special to be able to have Western representatives there as well, to show the students about the great people and programs happening right in their backyards,” White adds. “Learning teaching methodologies from LAMP -- and gaining experience building curriculum and teaching children and adults of all ages with the Roadshow -- have been highlights of my time as a graduate student and provides invaluable experience.”

RSHS science teacher Deb Jensen, also a LAMP participant, helped scheme the “synergistic outreach event,” Watson says.

“The kids who were here loved it. They learned so much,” Jensen says. “The Western Wyoming Community College kids also did so well and got to talk with those from UW. Overall, it was amazing. All of the presentations were very interactive and hands on -- and all of the presenters adapted it to the kids’ needs.”

The Roadshow is a group of mostly UW undergraduate and graduate students who collaborate with statewide groups, such as K-12 teachers, to bring hands-on, engaged activities to classrooms that are related to learning outcomes. The outreach mentors for the Rock Springs event were all graduate students who self-developed the lessons to highlight the relevance of coding to real-world problems, Watson says.

The Roadshow team helped the students practice and develop their lessons, providing feedback along the way. To make this a holistic and collaborative experience, the Roadshow also brought Leavitt in virtually to help brainstorm, provide feedback and to help build her own outreach lesson, Watson adds.

“The Roadshow would benefit immensely from more partnership and collaboration with community college students,” says Karagh Brummond, co-director of the Roadshow and also of the UW Science Initiative Community Engagement Program. “These students are based in community, know local problems and can help K-12 students understand the value of a community college education. We hope to continue to build these collaborative partnerships across more community colleges through the already-established LAMP network.”

To learn more about UW’s Science Initiative Roadshow program, go here.