A teacher wouldn’t have to have any Computer Science background. Bootstrap broadens the horizon of what you can use functions for, but in a concrete way. It was especially helpful for students who usually aren’t engaged either because they don’t like math or because they are good at math and it's too easy or boring. You help both extremes. Bootstrap is an alternative [to just doing more worksheets] that reinforces what you were trying to teach anyway. - An 8th grade math teacher in Oklahoma
Bootstrap has trained thousands of teachers across the USA and reaches tens of thousands of students per year. By integrating content into classes that students are already taking, we reach diverse populations: historically, our student populations have been over 43% for each of female and HUG students, with many from Title 1 schools. The vast majority of our teachers have no prior computing experience. Our research shows positive transfer from Bootstrap content to typical standardized exam questions in math, as well as increased understanding of both computing and their home discipline with participating teachers. The impact page on our website has more details (https://www.BootstrapWorld.org/impact/).
Visit our website (https://www.BootstrapWorld.org) to view our materials, research, and upcoming workshops. Reach out to us at contact@bootstrapworld.org to set up a professional-development workshop, overview presentation, or curricular consultations for your school or district.
Funders and PartnersBootstrap has been funded by The National Science Foundation, several foundations, and private donors. An up-to-date list of funders is on our website.
Emmanuel Schanzer, co-director
617-792-2438
https://www.bootstrapworld.org/
The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy.
Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.
Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.
Ensure work is sustainable.
Demonstrate replicability and scalability.
Create high impact partnerships
Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.
Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience
Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.
Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.
Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.