Computer what?! Designing outreach activities to introduce computer science to K-12 in Qatar

Abstract

Qatar is working towards becoming a knowledge-based society by 2030. However, there is a limited understanding of the field of computer science, especially at the K-12 level, as well as its potential impact to achieve the above goal. We have developed several outreach activities to help introduce K-12 students and their teachers to computer science through workshops on CS such as education, problem solving through puzzles, programming through Alice, robotics, and high school programming competitions. These initiatives have dramatically improved the understanding and acceptance of the field of computer science in Qatar in K-12 students, teachers, and administrators.