Computer Science Framework to Teach Community-Based Environmental Literacy and Data Literacy to Diverse Students

Abstract: This study introduces an integrated curriculum designed to empower underrepresented students by combining environmental literacy, data literacy, and computer science. The framework promotes environmental awareness, data literacy, and civic engagement using a culturally sustaining approach. This integrated curriculum is embedded with resources to support language development, technology skills, and coding skills to accommodate the diverse needs of students. To evaluate the effectiveness of this curriculum, we conducted a pilot study in a 5th-grade special education classroom with multilingual Latinx students. During the pilot, students utilized Scratch, a block-based coding language, to create interactive projects that showcased locally collected data, which they used to communicate environmental challenges and propose solutions to community leaders. This approach allowed students to engage with environmental literacy at a deeper level, harnessing their creativity and community knowledge in the digital learning environment. Moreover, this curriculum equipped students with the skills to critically analyze political and socio-cultural factors impacting environmental sustainability. Students not only gained knowledge within the classroom but also applied their learning to address real environmental issues within their community. The results of the pilot study underscore the efficacy of this integrated approach.