Impact Story: Tough as Nails, Nimble Fingers: Developing a K-8 Coding Pathway for Kentucky Appalachia (National Science Foundation)

Successful Research-Practice Partnerships

In a region historically dependent on the coal industry, rural Appalachian teachers who incorporate computer science (CS) and computational thinking (CT) education can empower learners to access new career opportunities—translating to future internships and jobs for the region.

Together with our partners at South Fayette School District and Bit Source, Digital Promise collaborated with more than 250 K-8 instructors in Kentucky Appalachia to incorporate sustained CS and CT pathways into existing coursework.

• We hosted four professional development workshops for educators in Pikeville Independent School District and Floyd County Schools to help teachers integrate CS and CT into their classrooms.
• Teachers received guidance on not only integrating CT education into their existing curriculum, but also adapting it to their respective grade levels, subject areas, and experience levels—as well as the educational and economic needs of their local communities.

Lasting Impact for Students in Kentucky

Through this transformative research-practice partnership, teachers had the opportunity to share their unique experiences and perspectives to shape CS/CT pathways in their regions. Their contributions continue to help Kentucky teachers integrate these pathways into their classrooms, with the potential to serve a significant number of students long-term. By fall 2024, nearly 2,000 K-8 students per year were receiving more than 10 hours of CS/CT education, and teachers who were trained by the project have been training other teachers.

Learn more:

• Paving the Way for Computational Thinking in Rural Communities
• Adding a Computational Boost to Your K-8 Lessons