Mentoring in Computer Science Classrooms

What is it about?

This study explored a computer science mentorship program where post-secondary students helped secondary students learn robotics. The goal was to understand what both mentors and mentees experienced — what worked well, what challenges they faced, and what they learned from each other. The researchers collected perspectives from mentors and mentees through focus group interviews. They found that the program helped high school students strengthen their robotics skills, build connections with peers, and experience a sense of autonomy during projects. At the same time, mentors encountered challenges when working with students from different cultural backgrounds. However, these experiences also helped mentors become more aware and understanding of cultural differences, leading to mutual learning and growth. Overall, the study shows that computer science mentoring programs can be effectively implemented in K-12 classrooms. The authors also offer practical suggestions for creating mentorship programs that support both mentors and mentees in learning and collaboration.

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Photo by Van Tay Media on Unsplash

Photo by Van Tay Media on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Underrepresentation in computer science remains a persistent issue. Addressing it calls for thoughtful changes in teaching practices and curriculum design. While many STEM fields have embraced innovative teaching approaches, CS education has often lagged behind in pedagogical reforms. Mentoring has been recognized as one of the promising pedagogies in CS education. However, most existing mentoring programs focus on post-secondary students. While valuable, these efforts may come too late for students who have already disengaged from CS earlier in their schooling. Opportunities for CS mentoring at the elementary and secondary levels are limited, and most occur in informal settings where participation depends on student interest. In contrast, bringing mentoring into formal K–12 classrooms can reach a broader and more diverse group of students. Implementing CS mentoring in K-12 settings can therefore play an important role in fostering inclusivity.