New Voices and New Visions for Engaging Native Americans in Computer Science

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Broadening Participation in Computing New Voices and New Visions For Engaging Native Americans in Computer Science Glenn Bresnahan Boston University

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Vision To engage Native American students in computer science by creating and delivering a new curriculum that integrates art, culture and technology to create a compelling educational experience

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Objectives Increase the number Native American students pursuing CS and CS-related studies and careers Create a new image of computer science by illustrating a rich and diverse set of computing application and career paths Create a pedagogy and curriculum to serve as be a model for replicating the work in other communities

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Project Organization Funded under NSF’s Broadening Participation in Computing program (Jan Cuny) –Demonstration project – 2.5 years –Additonal REUs for students Partners –Boston University: Scientific Computing and Visualization –University of New Mexico: Native American Studies, CS, HPCC, NAPCOE –Pueblo of Jemez: Jemez Department of Education, Walatowa Charter High School Use Access Grid w/ bridged teleconference for weekly project staff meetings Annual all-hands meeting and workshop

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Key Components Engage Native American students by integrating culturally relevant materials with CS concepts Leverage existing cyber- infrastructure –Cyber-classroom connecting BU, UNM and Jemez Pueblo over Access Grid –Distributed VR using DAFFIE –Deep Vision 3d stereoscopic display Use VR and 3D displays to create a compelling education experience Teach digital media concepts and tools, principles of computer graphics, principles of VR, programming concepts and structures

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Key Components Application of CS concepts to empower the creation of an engaging VR experience Artistic direction by renowned Native American artists Field trips to cultural sites Create and deliver a new two semester, project –oriented course –Year 1 at UNM for undergraduates –Year 2 at Jemez for high school students Students create a culturally relevant VR world Public showings of students work

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Program Elements Use existing AG facilities at BU, UNM and Jemez Install DAFFIE/DVD Wall hardware and software system at UNM & Jemez Provide summer workshops at UNM and Jemez Offer scholarships/support for students in the courses Provide teaching assistantships for 1 st year UNM cohort to help instruct Jemez course in year 2 Create REU programs at BU & UNM Provide support for Native American artists for guest lectures and artistic guidance Conduct a program evaluation Disseminate materials via workshops, Web, presentations and showings

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Project Timeline Summer’06 –Install DVD Wall at UNM –Develop curriculum –UNM Student recruitment via UNM summer programs (NAPCOE) Fall’06 – Spring’07 –Course taught at UNM –Gala showing of student work to larger community Summer’07 –Install DVD Wall at Jemez –Jemez Workshop for high school teachers and TAs Fall’07 – Spring’08 –Course taught at Walatowa High Charter School –Advanced projects course at UNM Summer’08 –Complete evaluation –Web site development –Dissemination workshop

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Course Overview Art and Computation - Cross listed between CS and NAS Incrementally build a VR world incorporating Native American aesthetics, images and sounds Introduction to digital audio and recording Native American imagery and perspective Creation and manipulation of digital images Computer graphics Traditional and computer animation Native American arts and artists Programming using Logo Designing and building a virtual world

New Voices, New Visions Workshop – August 2008 Final Project