A Paradigm for Teaching Math and Computer Science Concepts in K-12 Learning Environment by Integrating Coding, Animation, Dance, Music and Art

A paradigm for teaching math and computer science concepts in K-12 education integrating coding, animation, dance, music and art is presented. This teaching paradigm introduces an effective learning tool to teach math and computer science concepts to K-12 students as well as increase the interest of K-12 students in STEM classes and their interest to pursue a career in STEM fields. We taught a “MathDance&Music” program to seventh grade students using the Scratch 2.0 creative learning environment. Students were given assessments before and after the MathDance&Music program. The assessment results show that the MathDance&Music program improved students' ability in math and computer science significantly as well as increased students' interest in STEM classes and interest in pursuing a career in STEM. Students who repeated the MathDance motions and coded the music for the dance did better on the math and computer science test in the assessment with statistically significant p-value than those students who did not repeat the MathDance motions and did not code the music for the MathDance.