Supporting Computational Algorithmic Thinking (SCAT)

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Supporting Computational Algorithmic Thinking (SCAT)



​Computational algorithmic thinking (CAT) is the ability to design, implement, and assess the implementation of algorithms to solve a range of problems.  It involves identifying and understanding a problem, articulating an algorithm or set of algorithms in the form of a solution to solve the problem, implementing that solution in such a way that it solve the problem, and evaluating the solution based on some set of criteria.  CAT lies at the heart of Computer Science and has applicability in a range of areas from Computer Science to cooking to music.

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While there is a great deal of research that examines how to engage students in computataional thinking and learning or how game design can improve IT fluency, programming capability, or algorithmic thinking, there is a scarcity of research that describes how the development of CAT happens over time as a complex cognitive capability.  



SCAT is a longitudinal research project whose goals are two-fold:

1) to explore the development of computational algorithmic thinking over three years in African-American middle-school school girls as they engage in iterative game design, and

2) to increase the awareness of participants to the broad applicability of computational algorithmic thinking across a number of industries and career paths.



In particular, this work aims to explore the following research questions:

1) How do individual and small-group computational algorithmic thinking capabilities of African-American middle school girls develop over time?

2) What difficulties do learners face as they engage in computational algorithmic thinking?

3) What do those difficulties suggest about supporting learners as they engage in computational algorithmi thinking?

4) How does participating in SCAT impact participants' perspectives of computational algorithmic thinking as well as their perceptions of themselves as problem solvers and game designers?



This longitudinal between-subjects research project has the following two objectives:

1) guiding learners through the iterative game design cycle over three years resulting in a set of complex games around broad themes, and 

2) exposing learners to the broad range of opportunities that exist for them in all types of industries and areas if they develop their CAT capabilities.