Alyssa B. Ettinger

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Alyssa B. Ettinger is an educational researcher whose work sits at the intersection of early childhood education, computational thinking, and identity development. Her most recognized contribution explores the innovative use of robotics programming with Kindergarten-aged children, demonstrating that even the youngest learners can engage meaningfully with engineering design processes and foundational computer science concepts. Through ethnographic analysis conducted in a Kindergarten classroom setting, Ettinger's research reveals how robotics can serve not merely as a technical learning tool, but as a medium through which young children express and explore their personal and cultural identities — a particularly nuanced finding that bridges STEM education with social and humanistic dimensions of learning. Her work challenges traditional assumptions about age-appropriate technology education, making a compelling case for introducing computational thinking at the earliest stages of formal schooling. With 7 citations, her research has contributed to growing scholarly conversations around K-12 computer science education and culturally responsive pedagogy. Ettinger's scholarship is especially valuable for educators and curriculum designers seeking evidence-based approaches to integrating robotics into early childhood classrooms in ways that are both intellectually rigorous and personally meaningful for young learners.