Principal Investigator
Claire Christensen – SRI
Project Description
This study evaluates the impact of Lyla in the Loop, a multimedia STEM program designed for children ages four through eight, on computational thinking skills and task persistence. Using a randomized controlled trial, approximately 150 children ages five through seven and their caregivers will be assigned to either access Lyla videos, games, and hands-on activities or continue with business-as-usual educational content. The six-week virtual study includes parent surveys, direct child assessments, and ongoing engagement tracking through digital usage and text-based supports. Outcomes focus on specific computational thinking skills, including abstraction, sequencing, problem-solving, and control structures, as well as persistence and early STEM identity. The study will also examine variation in impacts based on child characteristics and engagement levels.
Research Questions
- What is the impact of access to Lyla in the Loop resources on children’s computational thinking skills and task persistence?
- How do impacts vary by child characteristics, prior STEM exposure, and level of engagement with the program?
- To what extent does variation in usage (frequency, duration, and co-viewing) influence outcomes?
