We are currently recruiting teachers for two different research research studies:
(1) Help Create Storybooks That Teach K-2 Kids About Reading and Computers!
Are you a kindergarten, first, or second grade teacher in northeastern Louisiana (Union, Jackson, Lincoln, Ouachita, Monroe City, Morehouse, Richland, Madison, West Carroll, East Carroll, Tensas, Franklin, or Caldwell)? We'd love to partner with you!
We're launching a fun and creative research project called Building Knowledge in Computing through Early Literacy (BELLS) - and we're inviting teachers like you to help shape it.
Together, we'll co-create and/or test the impact of engaging picture books that spark children's curiosity about reading and computers. You don't need any computer science background - just your classroom experience and creativity!
Participating teachers will:
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engage with researchers in your classroom with your students
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facilitate the collection of consent from your students' parents/legal guardians
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participate in the co-design of the books and the guiding materials for teachers
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involve your students in co-designing the books during regular class time
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be interviewed by the research team
Participating teachers will receive a modest incentive ($150) as a thank-you for their time and ideas.
If you're excited about blending literacy, creativity, and early computing ideas - we'd love to collaborate with you!
Please complete this brief form if you are interested in participating.
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2524330. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
(2) Do you want to co-develop and learn about new practices for students when learning to program with AI?
This exciting and timely research study is focused on how teachers can successfully teach high school students to learn to program with AI through AI pair programming. You don't need any knowledge about or experience with AI to participate.
Participation priority will be given to high school teachers in northeastern Louisiana parishes: Union, Jackson, Lincoln, Ouachita, Morehouse, Richland, Madison, West Carroll, East Carroll, Tensas, Franklin, Caldwell.
Benefits to participating teachers include:
- Learn evidence-based practices for teaching programming with AI to your students.
- Receive an annual incentive for participation.
- Become familiar with the research process.
- Contribute to ground-breaking research in CS education that will have a lasting impact.
- Be part of a professional learning community of teachers and researchers shaping CS education.
If you are chosen to participate in this study, you will:
- Review materials and attend a local two-day in-person meeting to co-develop curriculum and professional development materials (early 2026)
- Review results and attend virtual meetings to help interpret findings (late 2026 & 2027)
- Attend virtual meetings to update the materials (early 2027 & 2028)
Total time commitment will be ~25 hours over 3 years. Participants will receive yearly incentives; for full participation over three years, the incentive will be $950.
This project is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under grant #2524429. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.
To apply, complete the form.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about either project, please contact Dr. Julie M. Smith at julie@csedresearch.org.
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Julie Smith
Senior Education Researcher
Round Rock TX
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