Real projects to involve undergraduate students in CS degrees

Abstract

Technological advances are improving the standard of living and working conditions. Curiously, the number of students that choose technological studies and careers continues to decline. This fall is particularly noteworthy in respect of females. One of the main reasons for this is that neither the model of professional profile promoted, nor the global approach of the mission is attractive or appealing. Some studies indicate that problem-based and project-based learning methods are conducive not only to acquiring social and interpersonal skills that are valuable in a workplace, but also to increasing gender diversity in engineering degrees. In this paper we present a pilot project, ICT4Girls. The main goal is to diffuse computer science as a real tool for service of society, with a principal aim of promoting ICT careers. Based on a wireless sensor network (WSN) platform, several real projects by undergraduate students are presented. For our purposes here, two projects have been defined. Beginning from a basic-skill framework, each presents a different audience and goals.