MinerAlert
MinerAlert
In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, it is crucial for educators to stay abreast of the latest developments in fields such as computer science, cybersecurity, and data science. The Computer Science Department at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is excited to share the continued achievements of its CREEDS (Cybersecurity Research Experience for Educators through Data Science) summer program.
This NSF-funded initiative led by Drs. Deepak Tosh, Computer Science Assistant Professor, Martine Ceberio, Computer Science Professor, and William Robertson, Teacher Education Professor, aims to equip middle and high school educators in the El Paso region with authentic research experiences in Cybersecurity and Data Science. Since its launch in 2022, the program has provided research opportunities to 21 teachers. These educators have gained valuable knowledge in computer science, enhancing their teaching practices with up-to-date information.
The CREEDS RET summer program is a six-week intensive research experience where educators work in pairs on a novel research project, gaining valuable insights into topics such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. This hands-on approach enhances their problem-solving and programming skills while preparing them with new pedagogical methods to take back to their classrooms. Additionally, by attending special sessions on emerging technologies, such as AI and machine learning, the program ensures that educators are well-prepared to meet the challenges of teaching in a technology-driven environment.
Deepak Tosh, Ph.D., Computer Science Assistant Professor, and CREEDS Principal Investigator, remarked on the program's challenges and successes: “It is quite challenging to orient diverse school teachers to conduct meaningful research in a 6-weeks span. However, with the support of our faculty mentors and amazing student mentors, we have been very successful in achieving this. The teachers express that they receive eye-opening experiences through this program, which is very rewarding to hear.”
Success stories from the program highlight its impact. A teacher from Canutillo Early College High School used their AP Computer Science class to teach AI fundamentals, inspired by their research project at CREEDS in 2023. Another teacher created a children's community workshop focusing on data science and AI, employing hands-on approaches learned in this program. A team of teachers also presented their research project nationally at a virtual RET Symposium organized by NSF and ASEE [American Society for Engineering Education].
"It is exciting to see the group of teachers come together, work together, and build a community that, I trust, and we plan as part of the program, will outlive the duration of their participation in the program,” said Martine Ceberio, Ph.D., Computer Science Professor and Co-Principal Investigator of CREEDS. “With this cohort, I see a lot of motivation to advance in their studies. It has resulted in this side effect of teachers being at UTEP this summer, hearing about the programs that we offer, and moving forward in their careers.
Shawn Trousdale, a computer science teacher at Eastwood High School and a CREEDS 2023 participant, expressed: “This experience has been incredible. Having the opportunity to collaborate five days a week with fellow teachers from across the city, all within the computer science realm, focusing on cutting-edge topics like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science, has been truly transformative.”
The CREEDS summer program at UTEP introduces participating teachers to new research topics, including large language modeling—the technology behind ChatGPT—cognitive modeling, fairness issues in AI-driven software, and hardware cybersecurity. These topics are designed to equip educators with the knowledge and tools to inspire the next generation of STEM students.
Dr. William Robertson, Teacher Education Professor and Co-PI of the CREEDS program, emphasized the program's significance: “The importance of providing real-world experiences for teachers in computer science that they can take back to their students in the Paso del Norte region cannot be overemphasized and the goal of creating a pipeline to UTEP comes in part through our commitment to local teachers.”
In 2023 and 2024, the program successfully recruited and trained 11 and 10 teachers, respectively. Building on this success, the CREEDS program plans to recruit at least 9 more teachers for 2025, offering them an immersive research experience that enriches their teaching methodologies and fosters a deeper understanding of computer science.
Rebecca Bethany, an El Paso High School STEM teacher and a participant in the CREEDS 2023 cohort, returned this year as a mentor for current participants. Reflecting on her experience, she stated: “Professionally, I have grown so much. I didn’t know much about data science or AI before, but now I’m even considering pursuing a master’s degree. Having a second opportunity to explore various projects and learn from them has been invaluable. I intend to take every opportunity I’ve had here back to my classroom to benefit my students.”
The CREEDS program has cultivated a community of like-minded educators passionate about computer science education in middle and high schools. With substantial support from UTEP's Computer Science faculty, this community is poised to grow and become self-sustaining in the coming years. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) officials of school districts in the El Paso region have been highly supportive of their teachers' participation in this program. This collaboration is expected to continue, meeting the needs of CS teachers through various federally funded projects.
Educators and researchers interested in the CREEDS program can stay informed about the next application cycle by visiting the CREEDS website. The application period for FY 24-25 is anticipated to open in November 2024 and will remain open until March 2025. Additionally, the program will reach out to school districts, previously participating teachers, and school principals via email. For any inquiries, interested parties are encouraged to contact the program directly at creeds@utep.edu.