- Principal Research Associate
- Director of the Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre
I’m an experienced educator, researcher and leader in computing education, committed to making computing accessible to learners and teachers globally. I have published widely on the teaching of programming, teacher professional development, physical computing and curriculum change over the last fifteen years, and am also a regular speaker at computing education events and conferences.
The Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre was established in July 2021 and is based in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge. The Centre is a joint initiative between the University and the Raspberry Pi Foundation and offers an exciting opportunity to combine expertise from across both institutions to deliver a step-change in computing education. The Centre seeks to achieve long-term impact by conducting original research as well as working with its partners to turn new research results into practice, including by working closely with the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s educational programmes.
The aim of the Centre is to increase our understanding of teaching and learning computing, computer science, and associated subjects, with a particular focus on young people who are from backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented in the field of computing or who experience educational disadvantage.
More information about the Centre can be found at http://computingeducationresearch.org. I'm excited to be leading this initiative.
If you are interested in studying for a PhD in computing education at the school level, please contact me. Currently we have one PhD studentship available in AI Education, but other funded opportunities may become available.
Biography
I joined the Department in October 2021 as Director of the Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre. Since gaining a PhD in Artificial Intelligence in Education in 1993, I have worked as a teacher of computer science, teacher educator, university lecturer and researcher. I was also the Chief Learning Officer at the Raspberry Pi Foundation until April 2023. From 2018 - 2023 I played a leading role in the DfE-funded National Centre for Computing Education particularly around the development of the Computing Curriculum, Ada Computer Science, and online teacher professional development courses. I was the strategic lead (PI) for the £2m DfE-funded Gender Balance in Computing research programme (2019-2023). In my own research, I developed an approach to structuring programming lessons called PRIMM (Predict-Run-Investigate-Modify-Make), which has proved useful to many teachers around the UK and beyond.
The 2nd edition of my (with colleagues) edited text book for prospective computer science educators and researchers: Computer Science Education: Perspectives on Teaching and Learning in School was published in February 2023.
Research
My research interests are:
- Computing education for K-12 (school-aged children)
- Teaching and learning of programming
- Physical computing
- Making computing inclusive and accessible to all
- AI education for young people
- Teacher professional development for computing
I am interested in supervising PhD students in these areas. Please contact me if you'd like to discuss this.
Teaching
Current PhD students
- Laurie Gale, Debugging in Programming Education
- Salomey Afua Addo, AI Education in schools
- Carrie Anne Philbin. AI Education in schools
- Carrie Anne Philbin, AI Education in schools
Publications
Schulte, C., Sentance, S., Sparmann, S., Altin, R., Friebroon-Yesharim, M., Landman, M., . . . Wu, Z. (2025). What We Talk About When We Talk About K-12 Computing Education. In 2024 Working Group Reports on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (pp. 226-257). ACM. doi:10.1145/3689187.3709612
Heath, J., Whyte, R., & Sentance, S. (2025). FLARE: A Framework Supporting Code Comprehension and Formative Assessment in Block-Based Programming Education. In Proceedings of the 9th Conference on Computing Education Practice (pp. 25-28). ACM. doi:10.1145/3702212.3702219
Sentance, S., Whyte, R., & Kirby, D. (2025). Exploring Transformative Professional Development Within K-12 Computing Education. In Unknown Book (Vol. 15228 LNCS, pp. 139-151). doi:10.1007/978-3-031-73474-8_11
Childs, K., & Sentance, S. (2024). Investigating the impact of introducing pair programming to primary computing education on female pupils’ attitudes towards computing. International Journal of Computer Science Education in Schools, 7(1). doi:10.21585/ijcses.v7i1.218
Whyte, R., Kirby, D., & Sentance, S. (2024). Secondary Students' Emerging Conceptions of AI: Understanding AI Applications, Models, Engines and Implications. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3689535.3689552
Sentance, S., Sheppard, B., & Humphreys, S. (2024). K-12 Computing Teachers' Topics for Inquiry. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3689535.3689541
Price, A., Childs, K., & Sentance, S. (2024). It's Useful But Not Interesting: Girls on Computing in School. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3689535.3689536
Addo, S. A., & Sentance, S. (2024). Exploring Computing Teachers' Readiness to Teach AI in Secondary Schools. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3689535.3689543
Sentance, S., Watson, S., Addo, S. A., Shi, S., Waite, J., & Yu, B. (2024). Developing Computing Teacher Guidance on GenAI. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3689535.3689538
Michaeli, T., Sentance, S., & Bergner, N. (2024). From the Chairs. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series.
Sentance, S. (2024). Building a National Center for K-12 Computing Education. ACM Inroads, 15(3), 29-41. doi:10.1145/3679023
Schulte, C., Altin, R., Rücker, M. T., Tedre, M., Velázquez-Iturbide, J. Á., Sentance, S., . . . Wu, Z. (2024). Values and Beliefs Underpinning K-12 Computing Education. In Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE Vol. 2 (pp. 767-768). doi:10.1145/3649405.3659532
Whyte, R., Kirby, D., & Sentance, S. (2024). Measuring Teacher Self-Efficacy and Careers Awareness in K-12 AI Education. In Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE Vol. 2 (pp. 798). doi:10.1145/3649405.3659489
Addo, S. A., & Sentance, S. (2023). Teachers' Motivation for Teaching AI in K-12 settings. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (pp. 43). doi:10.1145/3633083.3633192
Sentance, S., & Grillenberger, M. (2023). From the Chairs. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series.
Gale, L., & Sentance, S. (2023). Investigating the Attitudes and Emotions of K-12 Students Towards Debugging. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3610969.3611120
Leonard, H. C., Childs, K., Waite, J., Whyte, R., & Sentance, S. (2023). Engaging primary (K-5) computing teachers in culturally relevant pedagogy through professional development. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3610969.3611118
Hwang, Y., Das, A., Waite, J., & Sentance, S. (2023). Using a Sociological Lens to Investigate Computing Teachers' Culturally Responsive Classroom Practices. In ICER 2023 - Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research V.1 (pp. 206-221). doi:10.1145/3568813.3600112
Becker, B. A., Bradley, S., Maguire, J., Black, M., Crick, T., Saqr, M., . . . Quille, K. (2023). Computing education research in the UK & Ireland. In Past, Present and Future of Computing Education Research: A Global Perspective (pp. 421-479). doi:10.1007/978-3-031-25336-2_19
Sentance, S., Kirby, D., Quille, K., Cole, E., Crick, T., & Looker, N. (n.d.). UK and Ireland Computing Teacher Survey Dataset 1.
Tshukudu, E., Sentance, S., Adelakun-Adeyemo, O., Nyaringita, B., Quille, K., & Zhong, Z. (2023). Investigating K-12 Computing Education in Four African Countries (Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda). ACM Transactions on Computing Education, 23(1). doi:10.1145/3554924
Waite, J., Tshukudu, E., Cucuiat, V., Whyte, R., & Sentance, S. (2023). Towards a Framework for Learning Content Analysis in K-12 AI/ML Education. In Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE. doi:10.1109/FIE58773.2023.10343368
Sentance, S. (2023). Integrating research and practice: opportunities in computing education. In Lecture Notes in Informatics (LNI), Proceedings - Series of the Gesellschaft fur Informatik (GI) Vol. P-336 (pp. 35-42). doi:10.18420/infos2023-002
Waite, J., Das, A., Hwang, A., & Sentance, S. (2023). Culturally Relevant Areas of Opportunity for K-12 Computing Lessons. In Proceedings - Frontiers in Education Conference, FIE. doi:10.1109/FIE58773.2023.10343308
Rizvi, S., Waite, J., & Sentance, S. (2023). Artificial Intelligence teaching and learning in K-12 from 2019 to 2022: A systematic literature review. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 4. doi:10.1016/j.caeai.2023.100145
Rizvi, S., Sentance, S., Childs, K., Leonard, H., Quinlan, O., & Waite, J. (2022). Use of storytelling to increase engagement and motivation in computing in lower primary schools. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3556787.3556876
Sentance, S., Tshukudu, E., & Quille, K. (2022). METRECC Africa 2020 data. doi:10.17863/CAM.87121
Sentance, S. (2022). Who’s using my research? Influencing the impact of computing education research on practice. In Proceedings of the 2022 Conference on United Kingdom & Ireland Computing Education Research (pp. 1). ACM. doi:10.1145/3555009.3555010
Sentance, S., Kirby, D., Quille, K., Cole, E., Crick, T., & Looker, N. (2022). Computing in School in the UK & Ireland: A Comparative Study. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3555009.3555015
Gardner, T., Leonard, H. C., Waite, J., & Sentance, S. (2022). What do We Know about Computing Education for K-12 in Non-formal Settings? A Systematic Literature Review of Recent Research. In ICER 2022 - Proceedings of the 2022 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research Vol. 1 (pp. 264-281). doi:10.1145/3501385.3543960
Tshukudu, E., Waite, J., Rizvi, S., & Sentance, S. (2022). Teachers' Motivations to Learn about ML and AI. In Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE Vol. 2 (pp. 609). doi:10.1145/3502717.3532148
Leonard, H. C., & Sentance, S. (2021). Culturally-relevant and responsive pedagogy in computing: A Quick Scoping Review. International Journal of Computer Science Education in Schools, 5(2), 3-13. doi:10.21585/ijcses.v5i2.130
Sentance, S. (2021). Teaching computing in school: is K-12 research reaching classroom practice?. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3488042.3491040
Leonard, H. C., Quinlan, O., & Sentance, S. (2021). Female pupils' attitudes to computing in early adolescence. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3481282.3481289
Waite, J., Franceschini, A., Sentance, S., Patterson, M., & Sharkey, J. (2021). An online platform for teaching upper secondary school computer science. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3481282.3481287
Sentance, S., & Waite, J. (2021). Teachers' Perspectives on Talk in the Programming Classroom : Language as a Mediator. In ICER 2021 - Proceedings of the 17th ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research (pp. 266-280). doi:10.1145/3446871.3469751
Kallia, M., & Sentance, S. (2021). Threshold concepts, conceptions and skills: Teachers' experiences with students' engagement in functions. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 37(2), 411-428. doi:10.1111/jcal.12498
Vivian, R., Quille, K., Mcgill, M. M., Falkner, K., Sentance, S., Barksdale, S., . . . Maiorana, F. (2020). An International Pilot Study of K-12 Teachers' Computer Science Self-Esteem. In Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE (pp. 117-123). doi:10.1145/3341525.3387418
Waite, J., Curzon, P., Marsh, W., & Sentance, S. (2020). Difficulties with design: The challenges of teaching design in K-5 programming. Computers and Education, 150. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2020.103838
Hodges, S., Sentance, S., Finney, J., & Ball, T. (2020). Physical Computing: A Key Element of Modern Computer Science Education. Computer, 53(4), 20-30. doi:10.1109/MC.2019.2935058
Martin, F., Lee, I., Lytle, N., Sentance, S., & Lao, N. (2020). Extending and evaluating the use-modify-create progression for engaging youth in computational thinking. In SIGCSE 2020 - Proceedings of the 51st ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (pp. 807-808). doi:10.1145/3328778.3366971
Sentance, S., Singh, L., & Freitas, P. D. (2020). Challenges facing computing teachers in guyana. In SIGCSE 2020 - Proceedings of the 51st ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (pp. 1323). doi:10.1145/3328778.3372613
Falkner, K., Sentance, S., Vivian, R., Barksdale, S., Busuttil, L., Cole, E., . . . Quille, K. (2019). An international study piloting the measuring teacher enacted computing curriculum (METRECC) instrument. In Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE (pp. 111-142). doi:10.1145/3344429.3372505
Kalelioglu, F., & Sentance, S. (2020). Teaching with physical computing in school: the case of the micro:bit. Education and Information Technologies, 25(4), 2577-2603. doi:10.1007/s10639-019-10080-8
Falkner, K., Sentance, S., Vivian, R., Barksdale, S., Busuttil, L., Cole, E., . . . Quille, K. (2019). An international comparison of K-12 computer science education intended and enacted curricula. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3364510.3364517
Quinlan, O., Sentance, S., Dickins, J., & Cross, R. (2019). The role of assessment and reward in non-formal computing settings (Work in progress). In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3361721.3362111
Sentance, S. (2019). Moving to mainstream: Developing computing for all. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3361721.3362117
Alvarez Grijalba, W., Arguedas Castillo, J., Araya Campos, R., & Estrella, P. (2018). Process-based assessment of computer science students. In Proceedings - 13th Latin American Conference on Learning Technologies, LACLO 2018 (pp. 363-370). doi:10.1109/LACLO.2018.00069
Morrison, C., Villar, N., Hadwen-Bennett, A., Regan, T., Cletheroe, D., Thieme, A., & Sentance, S. (2021). Physical Programming for Blind and Low Vision Children at Scale. Human-Computer Interaction, 36(5-6), 535-569. doi:10.1080/07370024.2019.1621175
Falkner, K., Sentance, S., Vivian, R., Barksdale, S., Busuttil, L., Cole, E., . . . Quille, K. (2019). An international benchmark study of K-12 computer science education in schools. In Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE (pp. 257-258). doi:10.1145/3304221.3325535
Sentance, S., Waite, J., & Kallia, M. (2019). Teaching computer programming with PRIMM: a sociocultural perspective. Computer Science Education, 29(2-3), 136-176. doi:10.1080/08993408.2019.1608781
Sentance, S., Waite, J., & Kallia, M. (2019). Teachers' experiences of using PRIMM to teach programming in school. In SIGCSE 2019 - Proceedings of the 50th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (pp. 476-482). doi:10.1145/3287324.3287477
Kallia, M., & Sentance, S. (2019). Learning to use functions: The relationship between misconceptions and self-efficacy. In SIGCSE 2019 - Proceedings of the 50th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (pp. 752-758). doi:10.1145/3287324.3287377
Sentance, S., & Humphreys, S. (2018). Understanding professional learning for Computing teachers from the perspective of situated learning. Computer Science Education, 28(4), 345-370. doi:10.1080/08993408.2018.1525233
Waite, J., Curzon, P., Marsh, W., & Sentance, S. (2018). Comparing K-5 teachers' reported use of design in teaching programming and planning in teaching writing. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3265757.3265761
Kallia, M., & Sentance, S. (2018). Are boys more confident than girls? The role of calibration and students' self-efficacy in programming tasks and computer science. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series. doi:10.1145/3265757.3265773
Sentance, S., Sinclair, J., Simmons, C., & Csizmadia, A. (2018). Classroom-Based research projects for computing teachers: Facilitating professional learning. ACM Transactions on Computing Education, 18(3). doi:10.1145/3171129
Brown, N. C. C., Altadmri, A., Sentance, S., & Kölling, M. (2018). Blackbox, five years on: An evaluation of a large-scale programming data collection project. In ICER 2018 - Proceedings of the 2018 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research (pp. 196-204). doi:10.1145/3230977.3230991
Hadwen-Bennett, A., Sentance, S., & Morrison, C. (2018). Making Programming Accessible to Learners with Visual Impairments: A Literature Review. International Journal of Computer Science Education in Schools, 2(2), 3-13. doi:10.21585/ijcses.v2i2.25
Unknown Title (2018). Unknown Journal, 2(2). doi:10.21585/ijcses.v2i2
Sentance, S., & Waite, J. (2018). Computing in the classroom: Tales from the chalkface. IT - Information Technology, 60(2), 103-112. doi:10.1515/itit-2017-0014
Waite, J. L., Curzon, P., Marsh, W., Sentance, S., & Hadwen-Bennett, A. (2018). Abstraction in action: K-5 teachers' uses of levels of abstraction, particularly the design level, in teaching programming.. International Journal of Computer Science Education in Schools, 2(1), 14-40. doi:10.21585/ijcses.v2i1.23
Sentance, S., Yeomans, L., Waite, J., & MacLeod, E. (2017). Teaching with physical computing devices: The BBC micro:Bit initiative. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (pp. 87-96). doi:10.1145/3137065.3137083
Sentance, S., & Waite, J. (2017). PRIMM: Exploring pedagogical approaches for teaching text-based programming in school. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (pp. 113-114). doi:10.1145/3137065.3137084
Waite, J., Marsh, W., Curzon, P., & Sentance, S. (2017). K-5 teachers⇔ uses of levels of abstraction focusing on design. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (pp. 115-116). doi:10.1145/3137065.3137068
Kallia, M., & Sentance, S. (2017). Computing teachers⇔ perspectives on threshold concepts: Functions and procedural abstraction. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (pp. 15-24). doi:10.1145/3137065.3137085
Sentence, S., & Csizmadia, A. (2017). Professional recognition matters: Certification for in-service computer science teachers. In Proceedings of the Conference on Integrating Technology into Computer Science Education, ITiCSE (pp. 537-542). doi:10.1145/3017680.3017752
Sentence, S., Waite, J., Hodges, S., Macleod, E., & Yeomans, L. (2017). Creating cool stuff" - Pupils' experience of the BBC micro:bit. In Proceedings of the Conference on Integrating Technology into Computer Science Education, ITiCSE (pp. 531-536). doi:10.1145/3017680.3017749
Dagiene, V., Sentance, S., & Stupuriene, G. (2017). Developing a Two-Dimensional Categorization System for Educational Tasks in Informatics. Informatica (Netherlands), 28(1), 23-44. doi:10.15388/Informatica.2017.119
Li, Y., Li, Y., Gunopulos, D., & Guibas, L. (2016). Knowledge-based trajectory completion from sparse GPS samples. In GIS: Proceedings of the ACM International Symposium on Advances in Geographic Information Systems Vol. 0. doi:10.1145/2996913.299692
Sentance, S., Sinclair, J., Simmons, C., & Csizmadia, A. (2016). Teacher research projects in computing. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series Vol. 13-15-October-2016 (pp. 110-111). doi:10.1145/2978249.2978271
Curzon, J. W. P., Marsh, W., & Sentance, S. (2016). Abstraction and common classroom activities. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series Vol. 13-15-October-2016 (pp. 112-113). doi:10.1145/2978249.2978272
Sentance, S., & Csizmadia, A. (2017). Computing in the curriculum: Challenges and strategies from a teacher’s perspective. Education and Information Technologies, 22(2), 469-495. doi:10.1007/s10639-016-9482-0
Dagienė, V., & Sentence, S. (2016). It’s computational thinking! bebras tasks in the curriculum. In Unknown Book (Vol. 9973 LNCS, pp. 28-39). doi:10.1007/978-3-319-46747-4_3
Gal-Ezer, J., Sentance, S., & Vahrenhold, J. (2015). From the conference chairs. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series Vol. 09-11-November-2015.
Barendsen, E., Mannila, L., Demo, B., Grgurina, N., Izu, C., Mirolo, C., . . . Stupuriene, G. (2015). Concepts in K-9 computer science education. In ITiCSE-WGP 2015 - Proceedings of the 2015 ITiCSE Conference on Working Group Reports (pp. 85-116). doi:10.1145/2858796.2858800
Sentance, S., & Humphreys, S. (2015). Online vs face-to-face engagement of computing teachers for their professional development needs. In Unknown Book (Vol. 9378, pp. 69-81). doi:10.1007/978-3-319-25396-1_7
Sentance, S., Humphreys, S., & Dorling, M. (2014). The network of teaching excellence in computer science and master teachers. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (pp. 80-88). doi:10.1145/2670757.2670789
Brown, N. C. C., Sentance, S., Crick, T., & Humphreys, S. (2014). Restart: The resurgence of computer science in UK schools. ACM Transactions on Computing Education, 14(2). doi:10.1145/2602484
Holley, D., & Sentance, S. (2014). Mobile 'comfort' zones: Overcoming barriers to enable facilitated learning in the workplace. CEUR Workshop Proceedings, 1154.
Sentance, S., Dorling, M., & McNicol, A. (2013). Computer science in secondary schools in the UK: Ways to empower teachers. In Unknown Book (Vol. 7780 LNCS, pp. 15-30). doi:10.1007/978-3-642-36617-8_2
Hodges, S., Scott, J., Sentance, S., Miller, C., Villar, N., -Grosche, S. S., . . . Johnston, S. (2013). NET Gadgeteer: A new platform for K-12 computer science education. In SIGCSE 2013 - Proceedings of the 44th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (pp. 391-396).
Brown, N. C. C., Kölling, M., Crick, T., Jones, S. P., Humphreys, S., & Sentance, S. (2013). Bringing computer science back into schools: Lessons from the UK. In SIGCSE 2013 - Proceedings of the 44th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (pp. 269-274).
Schulte, C., Hornung, M., Sentence, S., Dagiene, V., Jevsikova, T., Thota, N., . . . Peters, A. K. (2012). Computer science at school/CS teacher education - Koli working-group report on CS at school. In Proceedings - 12th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research, Koli Calling 2012 (pp. 29-38). doi:10.1145/2401796.2401800
Sentence, S., McNicol, A., Dorling, M., & Crick, T. (2012). Grand challenges for the UK: Upskilling teachers to teach computer science within the secondary curriculum. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (pp. 82-85). doi:10.1145/2481449.2481469
Sentence, S., & Schwiderski-Grosche, S. (2012). Challenge and creativity: Using .NET gadgeteer in schools. In ACM International Conference Proceeding Series (pp. 90-100). doi:10.1145/2481449.2481473
Sentance, S. (2011). Learning from students: Issues in computing education for 16-18 year olds. In Proceedings - 11th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research, Koli Calling'11 (pp. 124-125). doi:10.1145/2094131.2094159
Crick, T., & Sentance, S. (2011). Computing at school: Stimulating computing education in the UK. In Proceedings - 11th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research, Koli Calling'11 (pp. 122-123). doi:10.1145/2094131.2094158
Sentance, S. (1997). A rule network for english article usage within an intelligent language tutoring system. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 21(1), 173-200. doi:10.1080/0958822970100205
