Scripting for All
Creating small programs is a powerful way to investigate - and internalize - an idea. "Personal-use" programs are typically scripts: Python, R, Matlab, etc. It is exciting that scripting-as-medium-of-exploration is growing well beyond CS: HMC's Bio 46, E72, Physics 50, Core 79, and CMC's Kravis Department of Integrated Sciences are a few examples among many more. This project (a) explores where (else) scripting may be useful, and (b) designs, tests, and refines materials/exercises in collaboration with instructors who might consider scripting for their courses.
An open-ended - and challenging - part of this project arises from language- and environment-choice. Although all scripting languages are theoretically equivalent in their expressive power, they are not equivalent in convenience or identity. Languages and IDEs are badges that signal ease-of-contribution and community-acceptance. We will (work to) create materials that build bridges, rather than islands, within this academic-identity space.
This project starts a new chapter in our NSF Computing for Insight project. Join us in helping as many people as possible leverage (and enjoy leveraging) the scripting resources of our era, especially in fields beyond cs itself. In the "optional essay" part of the application, feel free to share a thought or two on how computing might be used in higher ed in, say, 2030.