CS+PA2: Learning computer science with physical activities and animation — A MathDance experiment

Abstract

A holistic approach to integrate classroom physical activities and programming to animate the physical activities is presented. The goal of this CS+PA2 program is to introduce an effective learning model to teach computer science, coding, and STEM concepts. As an example of CS+PA2, we taught an experimental “MathDance” program to seventh grade students using the Scratch Programming. The assessment results (one assessment taken before the activities, one after) show that the MathDance program improved students' knowledge in math and computer science significantly. It also increased students' confidence in STEM classes and interest in STEM careers. Students who repeated the MathDance motions did better, though not statistically significant, on a mathematics and computer science test than those students who did not.