Pair Programming in Middle School: What Does It Look Like?

Few early intervention efforts have improved the representation of women in computer science and engineering (CSE) disciplines, but pair programming has shown promise for reducing gender dzfferences among college students. Be current study is thejrst to examine this promising practice in middle school. In an effort to better understand whatpair programming looks like, we describe an observational study of middle school girls. We coded audiotape transcripts to show the kinds of interactions that appear to promote or undermine effective problem solving. Be findings are interpreted in terms of how to promote the kinds of interactions that make it more likely that middle school students willpersist in the kind ofproblem solving that willprepare them for further CSE coursework.