Interdisciplinary Synergy: Resources for Embedding Plugged and Unplugged Computer and Data Science Activities into the K-12 Curriculum

In the ever changing environment of education, the skills learned and applied in computer and data science (CADS) have expanded beyond the reach of siloed, single-subject teaching in the classroom. The need for interdisciplinary learning and constructs have increased as real-world experiences have become a necessity and time has become a scarcity. The progression toward this reality has been accelerated in a post-pandemic world. This paper reviews literature regarding this topic, looks at barriers impacting student learning, and provides resources to assist educators in weaving plugged, unplugged, and hybrid components into their interdisciplinary lessons to amplify the impact of CADS. It also provides a scenario for and a vision of learning if educators can utilize an interdisciplinary approach to their lesson and unit plans. The sample template provided focuses on a middle and high school education model where multiple teachers are responsible for teaching the same students in a team. The curriculum discussed in the template is based on topics covered in the New Jersey State Standards for eighth grade students, but is flexible enough to be molded for the needs of various grade levels and different state and local standards. By using multimodal techniques and generating greater synergy through interdisciplinary lesson constructs, more robust learning environments are created for both students and educators.