Wyoming Tribune-Eagle (Cheyenne, WY)
December 6, 2013 | Curtis, Aerin

At a glance Professors from the University of Wyoming are set to work with several middle school teachers from across the state to teach students mathematical and scientific thinking styles. The group is looking to use games and robots to engage students. Teachers or principals interested in the project can contact Science and Mathematics Teaching Center Director Jacqueline Leonard at Jleona12@uwyo.edu. 

CHEYENNE - Researchers at the University of Wyoming want to know if students can learn problem-solving skills by using robots and video games. The research group, led by Science and Mathematics Teaching Center Director Jacqueline Leonard, is looking to improve students' understanding of why and how they use the critical thinking skills needed in math and science fields. They're focusing on students in sixth through ninth grades. "We're using the gaming and the robots to get at the skills, the needed skills for someone who wants to go into engineering or science," she said, "so that they can have the skill set to enter the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) pipeline or at least have explored (it)." 

December 3, 2013 — Can gaming and robotics be used to teach computational thinking skills to middle school students in culturally sensitive ways?

A multidisciplinary University of Wyoming research team will explore that and related questions with the support of a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST) program.