Andrea Valente

Maersk (Denmark), University of Southern Denmark

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Andrea Valente is a researcher at the intersection of computational thinking, human-computer interaction, and educational robotics. Her work explores how non-programmers—particularly children—engage with and solve computational problems, often through tangible, playful interfaces. Valente’s most cited paper, "Fabric Robotics - Lessons Learned Introducing Soft Robotics in a Computational Thinking Course for Children" (2020, 7 citations), demonstrates her innovative approach to making abstract computing concepts concrete through soft robotics. She further investigates novice problem-solving with "Sandwich robot: how non-programmers solve computational problems" (2022, 2 citations), where she developed a game-based robot that assembles sandwiches by collecting ingredients, mirroring programming logic without requiring code. This work reveals how everyday analogies and game mechanics can scaffold computational thinking. Valente’s contributions are significant for designing inclusive, low-barrier entry points to computing education. Her research has direct implications for K-12 STEM curricula and human-robot interaction design, showing that even simple, embodied tasks can foster deep computational reasoning. By centering the learner’s perspective, Valente helps shape more accessible and engaging pathways into programming for diverse audiences.