Fundación Televisa, Cuantrix

Fundación Televisa promueve el desarrollo de México creando oportunidades para la mayor cantidad de personas y difundiendo el patrimonio cultural de nuestro país. Nuestro objetivo es tener un impacto positivo y amplio en el desarrollo humano colaborando con entidades públicas, privadas y de la sociedad civil para hacer una contribución significativa a la comunidad. Aprovechamos nuestro principal activo, la difusión en los medios, para servir a la gente. 

Nuestros esfuerzos están enfocados en promover la educación, los valores y la sana convivencia, la salud, el cuidado del medio ambiente, la cultura y el arte. Nuestros programas apoyan a la primera infancia, los niños y los jóvenes para que liberen todo su potencial y talento. Además, brindamos plataformas tecnológicas para empoderar y capacitar a las personas. 

Además, promovemos y apoyamos programas de emprendimiento social sostenible. Extendemos nuestras acciones más allá de fronteras para mostrar la cultura y el arte mexicano a través de la fotografía y las imágenes audiovisuales. 

A lo largo de 20 años, nuestros programas han generado 10.057.859 historias con finales felices. Fundación Televisa trabaja alineada con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de Naciones Unidas, luchando contra la desigualdad y el hambre. Promovemos la educación de calidad, la salud y la igualdad de género para fomentar una sociedad más justa y pacífica. 

Cuantrix es un programa de Fundación Televisa que busca crear igualdad de oportunidades a través de la informática, permitiendo que un millón de niños y jóvenes en México aprendan a programar cada año. Desarrollamos contenidos propios y adaptamos materiales de terceros para crear manuales completos compuestos por lecciones que los profesores pueden implementar en sus aulas. Nuestro contenido cubre desde el primer grado hasta la escuela secundaria, y cada programa comprende 20 lecciones.  

Brindamos capacitación a docentes ya sea de manera presencial o a través de nuestra plataforma, equipándolos con los fundamentos de informática y codificación. Además, los orientamos en el uso de diferentes plataformas y el empleo de nuestra metodología de enseñanza utilizando los manuales. Una vez que los maestros comienzan a implementar las lecciones en sus aulas, ofrecemos apoyo a través de facilitadores que visitan sus escuelas. Estos facilitadores brindan orientación, abordan cualquier inquietud, motivan a los maestros a continuar con el programa y recopilan información relacionada con la implementación. 

In recent years, Ilse Alvarez, through Fundación Televisa, has coordinated operations and content at Cuantrix, accumulating 8 years of experience in Technological Education. She specializes in designing educational content, organizing national Robotics events, and training volunteers and teachers in STEAM, Computer Science, Programming, and Robotics. She has mentored comprehensive Robotics & STEAM camps and developed challenges for competitions like FIRST LEGO League JR. She has also created mechatronic projects to teach electronics. During a stay at the Mexican Space Agency, she developed the CanSat Base AEM-1 prototype. Currently, as part of Cuantrix, she coordinates program operations, develops educational content, and manages training materials. She adapts program manuals, implements trainer training, and coordinates teacher support across states, sharing program progress with allies. She has contributed to the program for five years.

One of the program's priorities is to assess whether the current content (lessons) focused on computer science is effectively driving change in students' skills, interests, and knowledge in the STEM field. Therefore, our participation in the LEAP Project is of paramount importance.

The team members will allocate the necessary work time for the project, as it is a top priority. Ilse Álvarez, who coordinates the program, possesses the operational and content development experience required to make a meaningful contribution to the project. Vanessa Vázquez, a content analyst on our team, will provide the necessary and detailed materials and manuals. Additionally, Billy Solorzano, serving as the operational lead, will provide and coordinate the required information.

Cuantrix revolutionizes education in Mexico by introducing programming to children, driving educational transformation.

In Mexico, students lack 21st-century literacy, which means they are not developing the necessary skills demanded by today's society and future jobs. This lack of access to 21st-century skills poses a significant challenge that requires attention. We firmly believe that learning computer science and coding should be accessible and achievable for all children in Mexico.

To address this problem, we recognize the importance of working in schools and with teachers. The solution lies in implementing a systematic approach that involves educational institutions and educators. By collaborating with schools and teachers, we can drive substantial changes in the education system, providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to acquire 21st-century skills. By training teachers in computer science and coding, we can ensure they are prepared to teach these skills effectively and equitably.

Our mission is to work together with schools and teachers to bridge the gap in 21st-century literacy, ensuring that every child in Mexico has access to an education that prepares them to face the challenges and opportunities of the ever-evolving digital world.

We are committed to promoting computer science and programming learning among children aged 6 to 18 in public schools. Our approach involves providing free content delivered by trained teachers in the classroom. These teachers have undergone comprehensive training in teaching and learning methodologies, enabling them to effectively deliver the program. Throughout the school year, we offer ongoing support, guidance, and encouragement to teachers as they implement the program.

Over the past 7 school years, we have successfully trained 30,000 teachers in Mexico City (CDMX) and other states of the country. These teachers have become invaluable knowledge replicators, bringing their experience to their own classrooms. We believe we have the potential for further expansion. By collecting relevant information and conducting exhaustive studies on the learning outcomes, interest, and skills developed by students when approaching Computer Science and programming, we can identify improvements or solutions in both content, teacher training, and program implementation.

We have conducted Formative Research through user interviews and implementation studies specifically targeting teachers who implement with their students in the classroom. We have done this with the support of two institutions, the University of Alcalá and the Inter-American Development Bank (BID).

Additionally, we recently conducted a pilot study focused on understanding the key variables that influence the teacher's decision to teach the program with their students. We also conducted a series of group tests to investigate the programming concepts put into practice with the students.

The research conducted by the University of Alcalá on the CUANTRIX program has yielded significant results:

The program has had a strong impact and garnered considerable interest within the educational community, aligning well with the curriculum and being successfully implemented in schools. However, there are areas for improvement, such as adjusting training schedules and providing specialized support to students.

The program has been well received by teachers and has been implemented; they have requested materials adapted to their specific contexts and emphasized the need for technological and organizational resources in schools.

To address these areas for improvement, the following actions were taken:

• Content improvement and adaptation in collaboration with groups of teachers.
• Incentives were introduced, including the donation of equipment to 200 schools, to encourage the implementation of program content in classrooms.
• Training schedules were adjusted based on the needs and coverage requested by educational authorities.

Additionally, an evaluation was conducted by the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), indicating that support through follow-up visits to teachers has a positive impact on the adoption of the program and the number of lessons taught.

Regarding the latest pilot study, the information obtained indicates that the program primarily involves three types of teachers: those who are enthusiastic and have digital skills, those who are indifferent and have basic skills, and those who are disinterested and lack digital skills. The study also revealed that 70% of student teams were able to complete the proposed activities. There also appears to be a relationship between the number of lessons taught and the students' performance in activity resolution.

We believe that more information is needed to uncover insights into the learning outcomes, skills, and interests of students once they have participated in the program. This is necessary to enhance and inform decision-making regarding the program.

Our organization's need to strengthen the evidence base of our solution stems from the importance of thoroughly understanding the impact and effectiveness of our Computer Science and Programming education program. We seek to gain a clear and detailed understanding of how our educational efforts are influencing students, particularly in terms of stimulating their interest in STEM careers and technology, as well as fostering critical skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.

This evaluative approach will enable us to identify areas for improvement in our curriculum and program implementation in classrooms. By bolstering our evidence base, we will be able to make informed and strategic decisions on how to adjust and enhance our educational approach to maximize its impact and benefit for students. Additionally, it will allow us to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of our program more convincingly to various stakeholders, including educators, school administrators, and potential funders.

1. What is the specific impact of our Computer Science and Programming education program on the development of STEM skills among students, including their ability to problem-solve, think critically, and demonstrate creativity?

2. How can we adapt and enhance our curriculum and educational approach to ensure effective and engaging implementation in classrooms, particularly in terms of maximizing student participation and engagement with the learning material?

In the context of our LEAP project, formative and summative research would play complementary roles in strengthening the evidence base of our Computer Science and Programming education solution.

Formative research would enable us to gain a better understanding of the real-time implementation and effectiveness of our program. This could involve feasibility studies to assess the practicality and acceptance of the program by educators and students. Additionally, conducting user interviews would provide direct feedback on the utility and user experience of the program. Usability studies would also be valuable in identifying areas for improvement and the accessibility of our educational materials. Through this formative research, we aim to gain practical insights that will allow us to make quick adjustments or adaptations to optimize the implementation and impact of the program.

On the other hand, summative research would provide a more comprehensive assessment of the long-term impact of our program. This could involve impact evaluations to measure academic progress and skill development of students before and after participating in the program. Correlational and quasi-experimental studies would also be useful in examining the relationship between program participation and long-term academic and skill outcomes. Additionally, randomized control trials could provide a more rigorous assessment of causality between our program and student outcomes. Through this summative research, we aim to generate robust evidence of the long-term impact of our program on students.

Regarding the desired outcomes of the 12-week sprint of the LEAP Project, we aim to achieve the following:

• Design and conduct surveys and interviews with educators and students to gather data on the acceptance, usability, and effectiveness of our Computer Science and Programming education program.
• Analyze the collected data to identify strengths and areas for improvement in the implementation and effectiveness of the program.
• Develop specific recommendations for adjustments or adaptations to the program based on the findings of formative research.
• Design a summative evaluation plan to measure the long-term impact of the program on skill development and academic performance of students.
• Prepare reports and presentations to share the results and recommendations with key stakeholders, including educators, school administrators, and potential funders.

After the conclusion of the LEAP Project sprint, our organization will undertake a series of actions to implement the findings and maximize the impact of our Computer Science and Programming education program.

Firstly, we will utilize data collected from surveys, interviews, and analyses to pinpoint specific areas for improvement in the implementation and effectiveness of our program. Based on these findings, we will develop a detailed plan of adjustments and adaptations to address identified needs. This may involve reviewing and updating our educational materials, modifying teaching and learning approaches, and implementing additional strategies to enhance student engagement and commitment.

Additionally, we are committed to openly and transparently sharing the results of our research with all key stakeholders. This will include preparing detailed reports and clear presentations summarizing the findings and recommendations derived from the LEAP project sprint. These reports will be distributed to educators, school administrators, and other relevant stakeholders in the education sector. We will ensure that the materials are accessible and comprehensible so that all stakeholders can benefit from the information.

Furthermore, we will establish a continuous monitoring and evaluation plan to track the impact of the implemented adjustments and make further modifications as necessary. This will enable us to iteratively improve our program based on received feedback and observed results.

Moreover, we will leverage the data collected during the LEAP project sprint as a basis for seeking additional funding and establishing strategic partnerships with other organizations and entities interested in enhancing education in computer science and programming. We will present the evidence of impact and the results obtained as part of our proposals and arguments to support the expansion and scalability of our program.

The long-term desired outcomes of the 12-week sprint of the LEAP Project are significant for both our organization and our Computer Science and Programming education solution.

For our organization, desired outcomes include strengthening our evidence base, increasing visibility and reputation in the field of technology education, and establishing strong relationships with educational institutions and potential financial partners.

A primary desired outcome is the generation of a robust evidence base supporting the effectiveness and impact of our Computer Science and Programming education program. This involves collecting qualitative and quantitative data during the LEAP project sprint, as well as implementing long-term monitoring measures to assess the progress and performance of students participating in our program. Over time, this dataset will enable us to continually validate and enhance our educational approach, as well as support our funding requests and collaborations with other organizations.

Additionally, we anticipate that the 12-week sprint of the LEAP Project will provide us with increased visibility within the field of technology education. By sharing our results and experiences with the educational community, we aim to position ourselves as leaders in promoting digital literacy and preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century.

In terms of our Computer Science and Programming education solution, long-term desired outcomes include continuous improvement of our program and its ability to meet the changing needs of students and the job market. Through the implementation of adjustments and adaptations based on the findings of the LEAP project sprint, we aim to provide an even more effective and relevant educational experience for students. This may result in an increase in the number of students pursuing careers in computer science and technology, as well as greater academic and professional success among those participating in our program.