Counting Computer Science as both a Mathematics and Science

credit in WisconsinAndy Kuemmel and Joe Kmoch

akuemmel@madison.k12.wi.us joe@jkmoch.com

9/10/2012

Takeaways

• Goal: that we begin the process to allow computer science to count for both mathematics and science

• Basis: Computer Science should be part of the core curriculum all students should take in Wisconsin

Why???

Computing and mathematics is one of the

TOP 10 fastest growing major occupational groups 2010-2020.

150,000+ job openings in computing annually.

1 in every 2 STEM jobs will be in computing in 2020.

Quick Facts about Computing Jobs Though 2020

Sources: Jobs data are calculated from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment Projections 2010-2020, available at http://www.bls.gov/emp/. Educational levels are calculated from BLS Occupational Projections Data, Employment 2010-2020, available at http://data.bls.gov/oep/ and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010-2020, available at http://bls.gov/ooh/.

Not nearly enough to fill yearly projections in CSAnnual STEM Degrees (2009) and Annual STEM Job Openings (2010-2020)

Sources: Degree data are calculated from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Science and Engineering Indicators 2012, available at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind12/appendix.htm. Annual jobs data are calculated from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment Projections 2010-2020, available at http://www.bls.gov/emp/. STEM is defined here to include non-medical degrees and occupations.

Huge Opportunities for Computing Careers Top 10 STEM Occupations by Total Employment in 2020

Source: Jobs data are calculated from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment Projections 2010-2020, available at http://www.bls.gov/emp/. STEM is defined here to include non-medical occupations.

Computing Careers are Family SupportingTop 10 Major Occupational Groups 2010-2020 and Average Salaries in May 2011

Sources: Jobs data are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Employment Projections 2010-2020, available at http://www.bls.gov/emp/. Salary data are from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2011, available at http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm.

Major Occupational Group % Growth2010-2020

2011 Average Annual Salary

1 Healthcare Support Occupations 35% $27,370

2 Personal Care and Service Occupations 27% $24,620

3 Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations 26% $72,730

4 Community and Social Service Occupations 24% $43,830

5 Construction and Extraction Occupations 22% $44,630

6 Computer and Mathematical Occupations 22% $78,730

7 Business and Financial Operations Occupations 17% $68,740

8 Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations 16% $67,470

9 Education, Training, and Library Occupations 15% $50,870

10 Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 15% $33,200

Current Situation in WI

In Madison area it’s 48% (meaning we can’t fill 52% of computing jobs) and only 27% in SE Wisconsin (http://www.ncwit.org/edjobsmap)

Relationship between CS, the sciences and mathematics

• CS is becoming required knowledge in any STEM field.– For example, biology and physics heavily depend on

computer science • CS grew out of applied math and has a high

correlation with discrete math topics• CS encourages students to learn how to solve

problems, use abstraction, and create detailed algorithms; all necessary in math and the sciences

Barbara Ericson, Georgia Tech

Computer Science and STEM

CS is explicitly in STEM. The Department of Education has recognized computer science as a science part of STEM. This is important for applying for funds related to STEM. < http://www.acm.org/public-policy/RTTT_i3_Funding_Memo_v2.pdf >

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Computer Science and CCSS Mathematics

Incorporate CS in the Math Common Core Standard. This article with a statement by John White, then President of ACM,

relates to the inclusion of computer science in the set of mathematics standards then being developed by Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association for use by all states.

< http://www.drdobbs.com/move-to-incorporate-computing-in-math-cu/224200056 >.  

Actual ACM Press Release http://www.acm.org/press-room/news-releases/2010/common-core-standards-statement/

Cameron Wilson, Director of Public Policy for ACM, wrote a longer blog post with more context as to what this means. < http://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm/80686-computing-and-the-common-core/fulltext >

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CS and CCSS Modeling Standards

• From CCSS, “Modeling is best interpreted not as a collection of isolated topics but rather in relation to other standards.”

• In Computer Science, modeling and simulation is a core concept in AP CS courses

<http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/mathematics/high-school-modeling/introduction/>

Comparing CT Core Concepts and CCSS Standards for Mathematical Practice

CCSS Standards for Math Practice Computational Thinking core concepts

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them

Data collection, analysis, representationProblem Decomposition/Analysis

2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively Abstraction

3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others

Algorithms and Procedures

4. Model with mathematics Modeling & Simulation

5. Use appropriate tools strategically Automation

6. Attend to precision Data collection, analysis, representation

7. Look for and make use of structure ParallelizationAlgorithms & Procedures

8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

Algorithms & Procedures

<http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/mathematics/introduction/standards-for-mathematical-practice/>

Comparing CT Core Dispositions and CCSS Standards for Mathematical Practice

CCSS Standards for Math Practice Computational Thinking core dispositions

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them

Confidence with complexityPersistence in working through problems

2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively Ability to deal with open ended problems

3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others

Ability to communicate and collaborate to achieve a common goal

4. Model with mathematics Tolerance for ambiguity

5. Use appropriate tools strategically Ability to communicate and collaborate to achieve a common goal

6. Attend to precision Persistence in working through problems

7. Look for and make use of structure Ability to deal with open-ended problems

8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

Ability to deal with open-ended problems

<http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards/mathematics/introduction/standards-for-mathematical-practice/>

Comparing K-12 Science Framework with Computer Science

Scientific and Engineering Practices Computational Thinking core concepts & dispositions

Asking questions Problem decomposition and analysis

Developing and using models Modeling and simulation

Planning and carrying out investigations Algorithms and proceduresAutomation

Analyzing and interpreting data Data collection, analysis, representation

Using mathematics and computational thinking

All 7 core concepts

Constructing explanations Algorithms and procedures

Engaging in argument from evidence Algorithms and procedures

Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information

Disposition: Ability to Communicate and Collaborate…

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CS, Math Stds and Science Framework

• The CT core concepts and dispositions, clearly support the Standards for Mathematical Practice and the Framework for K-12 Science Education, the basis for the Next Generation Science Standards

• These CT core concepts are part of the CSTA CS Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, are deeply embedded in the proposed new APCS Principles Course and deeply embedded in standards and curricula in a growing number of countries including Britain, New Zealand, Australia, etc.

• A collaboration of efforts between mathematics, the sciences and computer science would better achieve both the CCSS Standards and the Science Framework.

Good Range of CS Courses

• Exploring Computer Science – http://exploringcs.com– Los Angeles, Chicago, elsewhere

• AP Computer Science Principles– In pilot stage including Madison West HS

• AP Computer Science A– Most recently revised in 2004 (began in 1983)

CS counts for graduation credit in these states

• Georgia counts CS as a science credit• These states count it as math:• Missouri, New York, North Carolina,

Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia

• http://www.acm.org/runningonempty/fullreport.pdf (table 2 page 7)

Georgia Counts CS as Science

• The reference for AP CS A counting as a science for graduation from high school is at http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/guidancefor4thscience_courses.pdf?p=6CC6799F8C1371F6E06D9968A92F08FDD1C2272A3A9A9793096E96376DC7C4CE&Type=D.

Drivers of CS in K-12

http://csta.acm.org

http://computinginthecore.org

Commitment

• Wisconsin CS teachers are committed– To seeing CS become part of the core curriculum– To having it count as both math and science– To working toward revised CS certification

standards and approaches– To developing our partnerships with CS

Departments at UW-Madison, Marquette, and UW-LaCrosse