Examining the Differences in Three Computing Fields with High School Students

Anecdotal evidence from admissions visits and conversations with students suggested that high school students received little to no guidance from school counselors and teachers on the differences between computer science (CS), computer engineering (CmpE), and information technology (IT) or the high school coursework needed to position students for success. Retention rates in these undergraduate computing degree programs were impacted by this lack of information and guidance, with local four-year graduation rates in just above 20% and four-year retention rates hovering just above 50%. Many of those students had selected the wrong major for their personal interests or career goals. To address this problem prior to attending a university, an interdisciplinary research team consisting of four faculty members from CS, CmpE, and IT and a fifth from education (EDU) developed the one-week Summer Computing Camp (SCC) for high school students. The SCC curriculum aimed to increase students' understanding of computing-related majors and to promote higher education in computing fields. Campers received daily instruction on the core components of CS, CmpE, and IT and practical experience in each through hands-on laboratories. Specific skills developed include computer programming in Python, basics of electrical circuits, integrating computer hardware and software, computer networking, and cyber security. Campers were introduced to computing careers and majors through presentations and guest speakers during the Lunch and Learn time. At the end of the week, teams of campers applied these skills to an Internet of Things-themed Capstone project, which they presented to their peers and parents. Pre- and post-surveys and tests provided evidence that camp participants increased their understanding of the differences between CS, CmpE, and IT as well as the career trajectories associated with each. Evidence also suggests that camp participants left the program more confident as to which computing field they were most interested in pursuing.