Kian L. Pokorny
Papers
1
Total Citations
10
H-Index
1
About
Dr. Kian L. Pokorny is a leading voice in broadening participation in computing, with a research focus on computational thinking education and K-12 teacher professional development. His most influential work, "Computational thinking outreach: reaching across the K-12 curriculum" (2012, 10 citations), tackles the critical challenge of recruiting precollege students into computing disciplines. Rather than targeting students directly, Dr. Pokorny pioneered a strategy of engaging K-12 teachers—the key influencers of young learners—through intensive workshops. This approach was exemplified by his leadership in a Google-sponsored Computer Science for High School (CS4HS) workshop, which equipped educators with the tools to integrate computational thinking across diverse subjects. By empowering teachers to become ambassadors for computing, his work has helped lay a sustainable foundation for expanding access to CS education. Dr. Pokorny’s contributions stand out for their practical, scalable impact, offering a model that other institutions have since adopted. For students and researchers interested in CS education reform, his research provides a compelling blueprint for reaching the next generation of technologists.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Computational thinking outreach: reaching across the K-12 curriculum10 citations · 2012