Deborah K Kariuki

About

Deborah Kariuki MEd, BS CS, is a computer science evangelist. As a former software engineer for 16 years, she noticed that there were very few women represented in computing careers and got involved in several organizations to help in the endeavor of recruiting girls into computer science. This led her to become a computer science educator. Currently, she oversees the Computer Science MAE program as the computer science education content specialist and creator, and is the Graduate program director for the MAE program. She is in charge of creating all the courses that will be taught in the program. Deborah is a valued faculty member in the MAE program.

Research interests

Deborah’s research interests are in the area of:

Computer science for all students from K-12 is feasible in the current area where there are no qualified or certified teachers to teach computer science.

Research in Cybersecurity Education, especially in the area of secure programming.g

Why is computer science the only course that everyone is okay saying that any teacher can teach the course with only a week's worth of PD?

Equity and culturally sensitive education in computer science, which she is pursuing as an INSPIRE CS-AI Fellow at MIT Teaching System Lab and a SheLeadTech Ambassador

Teaching interests

Teaching Interests are in Pedagogy of teaching computer science from K-26. Introduction to programming education courses, Advance programming course education courses. Computer Science Method course and Culturally sensitive course in computer science.
Since last year has introduced Cyber Security and Networking and working on Artificial intelligence teaching areas because they are several requests for this area of preparation for our candidates in MAE- computer science.

Education

  • Ph D, Cyber Security/ISUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County (2027)
  • MS, Cyber SecurityUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County (2021)
  • MS, Secondary Education- PrincipalshipTexas State University (2013)
  • BS, Computer ScienceTexas State University (1997)

Presentations

  • Why School Supervisors should support teachers in joining CSTA 2023 Computer Science Supervisor meeting · Maryland Center for Computing Education · Oral Presentation
  • Beyond the 5 Days Professional Development in the Summer 2023 TAPIA- CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Conference · Association for Computing Machinery-TAPIA · Oral Presentation
  • Making: An Innovative Gateway to Inclusive CS Engagemen 2023 CrossRoads 2023 · Infosys Foundation USA · Oral Presentation
  • "Wait!! They said what? Hide your age, and don't state your years of experience! 2023 WiCyS 2023- “Resetting Expectations: Creating Accessible Cybersecurity Career Pathways · Women in Cyber Security - WiCyS · Lecture

Grants and Contracts

  • Cybersecurity Exploratory Projects 2023 COEIT · Grant · Funded
  • Exploring Computational Thinking with Preservice Teachers & Teacher Education Instructors (2020-2021) 2020 Maryland Center For Computing Education · Grant · Funded Patricia A Young (Principal), Deborah Kariuki (Co-Principal)
  • Infusing a Culture-based Computational Thinking Curriculum in Urban Preschools (2020-2022) 2020 Sherman Center for Early Learning in Urban Communities at UMBC · Grant Patricia A Young (Principal), Deborah Kariuki (Co-Principal)

Courses Taught

  • COMP 101 Computational Thinking and Design COMP 101 · Fall 2024
  • Culturally Responsive Instructions in ComputerScience CSED 527 · Fall 2023
  • Introduction to Computer Programming - Python CSED 551 · Spring 2022