Andrasik, F., & Morshed, B., & Hewitt, R. W. (2025, March), Creating Opportunity from Challenge: A Virtual Approach to Building STEM Confidence and Skills  Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi. 10.18260/1-2--54154

\bibitem{asee_peer_54154}
  Andrasik, F., \& Morshed, B., \& Hewitt, R. W. (2025, March), \emph{Creating Opportunity from Challenge: A Virtual Approach to Building STEM Confidence and Skills}
  Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi.
  10.18260/1-2--54154

Frank Andrasik, Bashir Morshed, and Robert W Hewitt Jr..  "Creating Opportunity from Challenge: A Virtual Approach to Building STEM Confidence and Skills".  2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi, 2025, March.  ASEE Conferences, 2025.  https://peer.asee.org/54154 Internet.  27 Apr, 2025

\bibitem{asee_peer_54154}
  Frank Andrasik, Bashir Morshed, and Robert W Hewitt Jr..
  "Creating Opportunity from Challenge: A Virtual Approach to Building STEM Confidence and Skills".
  \emph{2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi, 2025, March}.
  ASEE Conferences, 2025.
  https://peer.asee.org/54154 Internet.  27 Apr, 2025

@INPROCEEDINGS{asee_peer_54154
author = "Frank Andrasik, Bashir Morshed, and Robert W Hewitt Jr."
title = "Creating Opportunity from Challenge: A Virtual Approach to Building STEM Confidence and Skills"
booktitle = "2025 ASEE Southeast Conference "
year = "2025"
month = "March"
address = "Mississippi State University, Mississippi"
publisher = "ASEE Conferences"
note = {https://peer.asee.org/54154}
number = {10.18260/1-2--54154}
}

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - Abstract
The transition to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic posed unique challenges for STEM education, particularly in maintaining hands-on, interactive learning experiences. This paper describes and presents preliminary findings of the implementation and outcomes of an online coding camp designed to empower high school students by enhancing their coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and self-confidence. Drawing on iterative design and student-centered learning strategies, the camp utilized breakout rooms, "papercraft" activities, personalized feedback, and collaborative exercises to foster engagement and confidence.

Pre- and post-surveys were administered during the 2023 and 2024 iterations of the camp to assess changes in students' confidence across key areas. The results indicate significant improvements in students' confidence in coding tasks, algorithm development, and problem-solving. Notably, the 2024 camp demonstrated greater gains in coding-specific skills, likely due to the increased use of breakout rooms that provided targeted support and peer collaboration. These findings align with existing research on the effectiveness of small-group interactions and flexible learning environments in virtual STEM programs.

This study contributes to the discourse on virtual STEM education by highlighting the importance of adaptable, interactive learning experiences that foster student engagement and self-confidence. The coding camp was developed and distributed through a partnership between Texas Tech University and the University of Memphis, with funding from the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2105766. The success of the camp underscores the potential for virtual programs to help prepare students for future academic and career pursuits in technology-driven fields. Future iterations will explore the balance between collaborative learning, hands-on activities, and independent problem-solving to further support comprehensive skill development in pre-college STEM education.

AU  - Frank Andrasik
AU  - Bashir Morshed
AU  - Robert W Hewitt Jr.
CY  - Mississippi State University, Mississippi
DA  - 2025/03/09
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Creating Opportunity from Challenge: A Virtual Approach to Building STEM Confidence and Skills
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/54154
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--54154
ER  -