We partner with leaders and organizations in Duluth and from around the state to support opportunities to learn about computer science in informal settings. Informal learning environments provide learners with important ways to make choices about their learning, collaborate, and have flexibility in a learning environment (Boustedt et al., 2011). Informal learning can complement formal learning environments and programs where it’s more common that a curriculum is used with a structured learning progression, academic standards, guidance.
In Spring 2024, we formed a group with a mission “to facilitate community-building events and activities with young people, families, and adults to promote inclusivity and raise awareness about the diverse and creative ways computer science is used in art, industry, and informal learning spaces in the Duluth area.”
Community Event Planning – Our Mission and Values
A group of leaders meet monthly to discuss upcoming events with possible connections to CS learning. The group created a mission statement and identified values to guide future planning:
“Our mission is to facilitate community-building events and activities with young people, families, and adults to promote inclusivity and raise awareness about the diverse and creative ways computer science is used in art, industry, and informal learning spaces in the Duluth area.”
Our Values:
- Inclusivity
- Creativity
- Community Engagement
- Accessibility
- Curiosity
Would you like to be involved? Please send an email to Paul Schonfeld ([email protected]), or complete this form to let us know.
Members
Leadership:
- Paul Schonfeld (Northern Lights Collaborative)
- Sara Gontjes (ALLETE, Inc.)
- Amy Kireta (University of Minnesota - Duluth)
- Anne Parish (Duluth Community School Collaborative)
Participating Organizations:
- Denfeld After School Happenings (DASH) leadership
- UMD- Swenson College of Science & Engineering
- Duluth Community School Collaborative
- Upward Bound
- ALLETE, Inc.
- Minnesota Power
- Duluth Public Library
- Lake Superior College
- The College of St. Scholastica
- MN STEM Ecosystem
- Robot Rickshaw
- Boubville
- Duluth Public Schools
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland
- Assistive Tech Makers
- Marshall School
- Arrowhead Robotics Coalition
- Certifi
- STARBASE Minnesota-Duluth
Background
In Fall 2022, Duluth, Minnesota, joined the CSforALL Accelerator Program to expand computer science (CS) learning opportunities in the community. The first year focused on increasing equitable access to CS education in both formal and informal settings.
Highlights included:
- Teacher Training: 40 Duluth Public Schools teachers received professional development and introduced 2-5 hours of integrated CS lessons for K-12 students.
- Family Engagement: In December, 200 participants joined a Family Day at the College of St. Scholastica, featuring three hours of hands-on CS activities and career exploration for first-generation and low-income students through Upward Bound programs.
In year two, the focus shifted to exploring informal CS learning. This includes afterschool robotics, interdisciplinary programs combining music and STEM, hackathons, and library initiatives, fostering engagement beyond traditional classrooms.
2024 Report - Informal K12 Computer Science Learning in Duluth
In September 2023, the Duluth Accelerator Community Core Team, led by the Northern Lights Collaborative for Computing Education, launched a study to assess informal CS learning in Duluth. The goal was to raise awareness, strengthen community connections, and provide a resource for existing programs.
Key Findings:
- Categories of Informal CS Learning: Robotics (22 Duluth teams), school-based programs, and community programs such as music, STEM, hackathons, and library activities.
- Programs: The report highlights 39 programs and organizations offering CS or Computational Thinking (CT) learning, with details on participant activities.
- Data Gaps: Only 5 of the 39 programs provided demographic data, indicating a need for improved data collection strategies.
Opportunities Identified:
- Enhancing collaboration and support for STEM and CS education.
- Expanding after-school CS learning opportunities, especially with robotics teams.
Recommendations:
- Improve demographic data collection.
- Address geographic and transportation barriers.
- Provide professional development for community leaders.
- Foster collaboration among organizations.
The findings were shared at community events in February and May 2024, encouraging discussions to shape next steps. Read more in this CEHD News article.
Community Events
February 22, 2024
Representatives from 13 youth-serving organizations in Duluth gathered to discuss the report “Informal K-12 Computer Science Learning in Duluth” and its recommendations. Key discussion points included identifying and addressing barriers to participation, such as transportation challenges, and connecting CS to student interests like music and art.
Key Takeaways:
- 75% of post-event survey respondents prioritized the recommendation to “facilitate collaboration among organizations.”
- Attendees emphasized the importance of engaging youth and industry leaders in future events.
Read the CEHD News article about this event.
May 22, 2024
Leaders from Duluth schools, industry, and youth-serving organizations met at the University of Minnesota-Duluth to explore CS education opportunities in the community. The event focused on networking, sharing organizational visions, and incorporating creativity into STEM and CS learning.
Highlights:
- Guest speaker Emily Saed, director of the MN STEM Ecosystem, shared professional development opportunities.
- Cindy Miller presented plans for CS education in Duluth Public Schools.
- Discussions centered on collaboration, community visions for CS, and integrating art into STEM learning.
Feedback & Next Steps:
- Post-event survey responses indicated strong interest in leadership roles for future events.
- Attendees shared ideas for future informal CS learning and collaborative projects.
Ongoing Efforts
A new organizing group has been formed to plan future events and collaborations. The group has established a mission and values to guide their efforts in strengthening informal CS learning in Duluth.
Would you like to be involved? Please send an email to Paul Schonfeld ([email protected]), or complete this form to let us know.
