Scholars@Duke

• Background
• 

  Education, Training, & Certifications

  • Ph.D., Duke University 1992
• 

  Previous Appointments & Affiliations

  • Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Computer Science, Computer Science, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2010 - 2015
  • Co-Director, Undergraduate Studies, Computer Science, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2009 - 2010
  • Associate Professor of the Practice of Computer Science, Computer Science, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1996 - 2000
  • Assistant Professor of the Practice, Computer Science, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1993 - 1996
• Recognition
• 

  In the News

  • MAR 23, 2023

    Duke Today

    Duke Digital Courses Come to Ukraine, Kazakhstan

  • JAN 22, 2021

    In Pandemic, Advanced Placement Turns to Duke Faculty for Help in High School Lecture Series

  • MAY 10, 2017

    Astrachan Receives Karl V. Karlstrom Outstanding Educator Award from Association for Computing Machinery

  • JUN 20, 2014

    Katharine Cummings: Student's Research Goes Online About the Digital Revolution
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  Awards & Honors

  • Distinguished Education Fellow. National Science Foundation. 2007
  • Richard K. Lublin Teaching Award. Duke University. 2002
• Research
• 

  Selected Grants

  • NSF INCLUDES Alliance: The Alliance for Identity-Inclusive Computing Education (AIICE): A Collective Impact Approach to Broadening Participation in Computing awarded by  National Science Foundation 2021 - 2026
  • Collaborative Research: CS10K: Infusing Cooperative Learning into Computer Science Principles Courses to Promote Engagement and Diversity awarded by  National Science Foundation 2015 - 2019
  • Collaborative Research: Broadening Participation in Computer Science: AP Computer Science Principles Phase II awarded by  National Science Foundation 2013 - 2017
  • CPATH CDEF: Interdisciplinary Problem and Case-Based Computer Science awarded by  National Science Foundation 2007 - 2012
  • Collaborative Research: BPC-A: ARTSI: Advancing Robotics Technology for Societal Impact awarded by  National Science Foundation 2007 - 2011
  • Modules and Courses for Ubiquitous and Mobile Computing awarded by  National Science Foundation 2000 - 2005
  • CAREER: Using and Developing Design Patterns in Undergraduate Computer Science Courses awarded by  National Science Foundation 1997 - 2002
  • Center for Undergraduate Education and Research: Integration Through Performance and Visualization awarded by  National Science Foundation 1996 - 2001
  • Enhancing the Performance of the Model Elimination Proof Procedure awarded by  National Science Foundation 1996 - 1998
  • Using and Developing Design Patterns in Undergraduate Computer Science Courses awarded by  National Science Foundation 1997 - 1998
  • The Applied Apprenticeship Approach (AAA): An Object-oriented/Object-based Framework for CS2 awarded by  National Science Foundation 1996 - 1997
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  External Relationships

  • Fenwick and West, LLC
  • Rimini Street
• Publications & Artistic Works
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  Selected Publications

  • Academic Articles

    • Astrachan, O., R. Morelli, G. Chapman, and J. Gray. “Scaling high school computer science: Exploring computer science and computer science principles.” Sigcse 2015  Proceedings of the 46th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, February 24, 2015, 593–94. https://doi.org/10.1145/2676723.2677322.
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    • Garcia, D. D., O. Astrachan, B. Brown, J. Gray, C. Lin, B. Beth, R. Morelli, M. DesJardins, and N. Sridhar. “Computer science principles curricula: On-the-ground, adoptable, adaptable, approaches to teaching.” Sigcse 2015  Proceedings of the 46th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, February 24, 2015, 176–77. https://doi.org/10.1145/2676723.2677323.
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    • Astrachan, O., R. B. Osborne, I. Lee, B. Beth, and J. Gray. “Diverse learners, diverse courses, diverse projects: Learning from challenges in new directions.” Sigcse 2014  Proceedings of the 45th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, January 1, 2014, 177–78. https://doi.org/10.1145/2538862.2538991.
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    • Astrachan, O., and A. Briggs. “The CS principles project: A new introductory computing course for everyone.” Acm Inroads 3, no. 2 (June 1, 2012): 38–42. https://doi.org/10.1145/2189835.2189849.
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    • Astrachan, O., A. Briggs, J. Cuny, L. Diaz, and C. Stephenson. “Update on the CS principles project.” Sigcse’12  Proceedings of the 43rd Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, March 30, 2012, 477–78. https://doi.org/10.1145/2157136.2157276.
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    • Astrachan, O., R. Morelli, D. Barnette, J. Gray, C. Uche, B. Cowles, and R. Dovi. “CS principles: Piloting a national course.” Sigcse’12  Proceedings of the 43rd Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, March 30, 2012, 319–20. https://doi.org/10.1145/2157136.2157230.
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    • Wolfman, S., O. Astrachan, M. Clancy, K. Eiselt, J. Forbes, D. Franklin, D. Kay, M. Scott, and K. Wayne. “Education: Teaching-oriented faculty at research universities.” Communications of the Acm 54, no. 11 (November 1, 2011): 35–37. https://doi.org/10.1145/2018396.2018409.
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    • Astrachan, O., J. Cuny, C. Stephenson, and C. Wilson. “The CS10K project: Mobilizing the community to transform high school computing.” Sigcse’11  Proceedings of the 42nd Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, April 19, 2011, 85–86. https://doi.org/10.1145/1953163.1953193.
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    • Astrachan, O., T. Barnes, D. D. Garcia, J. Paul, B. Simon, and L. Snyder. “CS principles: Piloting a new course at national scale.” Sigcse’11  Proceedings of the 42nd Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, April 19, 2011, 397–98. https://doi.org/10.1145/1953163.1953281.
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    • Astrachan, O., K. Haynie, C. Stephenson, L. Diaz, and A. Briggs. “Re-imagining the first year of computing.” Sigcse’10  Proceedings of the 41st Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, May 18, 2010, 329–30. https://doi.org/10.1145/1734263.1734377.
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    • Astrachan, O., H. Walker, C. Stephenson, L. Diaz, and J. Cuny. “Advanced placement computer science: The future of tracking the first year of instruction.” Sigcse’09  Proceedings of the 40th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, December 1, 2009, 397–98. https://doi.org/10.1145/1508865.1509005.
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    • Parlante, N., T. P. Murtagh, M. Sahami, O. Astrachan, D. Reed, C. A. Stone, B. Heeringa, and K. Reid. “Nifty assignments.” Sigcse’09  Proceedings of the 40th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, December 1, 2009, 483–84. https://doi.org/10.1145/1508865.1509031.
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    • Dewar, R., and O. Astrachan. “Point/counterpoint - CS education in the U.S.: Heading in the wrong direction?” Communications of the Acm 52, no. 7 (July 1, 2009): 41–45. https://doi.org/10.1145/1538788.1538804.
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    • Astrachan, O. “Out-of-the-box: Cogito ergo hack.” Sigcse Bulletin Inroads 41, no. 2 (June 25, 2009): 80–81. https://doi.org/10.1145/1595453.1595476.
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    • Astrachan, O. “Pander to ponder.” Sigcse Bulletin Inroads 41, no. 1 (April 2, 2009): 192–96. https://doi.org/10.1145/1539024.1508933.
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    • Astrachan, O., H. Walker, C. Stephenson, L. Diaz, and J. Cuny. “Advanced placement computer science: The future of tracking the first year of instruction.” Sigcse Bulletin Inroads 41, no. 1 (April 2, 2009): 397–98. https://doi.org/10.1145/1539024.1509005.
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    • Astrachan, O., S. Hambrusch, J. Peckham, and A. Settle. “The present and future of computational thinking.” Sigcse Bulletin Inroads 41, no. 1 (April 2, 2009): 549–50. https://doi.org/10.1145/1539024.1509053.
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    • Parlante, N., T. P. Murtagh, M. Sahami, O. Astrachan, D. Reed, C. A. Stone, B. Heeringa, and K. Reid. “Nifty assignments.” Sigcse Bulletin Inroads 41, no. 1 (April 2, 2009): 483–84. https://doi.org/10.1145/1539024.1509031.
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    • Astrachan, O. “Pander to ponder.” Sigcse’09  Proceedings of the 40th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, January 1, 2009, 192–96. https://doi.org/10.1145/1508865.1508933.
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    • Astrachan, O., S. Hambrusch, J. Peckham, and A. Settle. “The present and future of computational thinking.” Sigcse’09  Proceedings of the 40th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, January 1, 2009, 549–50. https://doi.org/10.1145/1508865.1509053.
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    • Astrachan, O., and P. Denning. “Innovating our self image (special session).” Sigcse’08  Proceedings of the 39th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, December 16, 2008, 178–79. https://doi.org/10.1145/1352135.1352195.
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    • Alt, C., O. Astrachan, J. Forbes, R. Lucic, and S. Rodger. “Social networks generate interest in computer science.” Proceedings of the Thirty Seventh Sigcse Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, December 1, 2007, 438–42. https://doi.org/10.1145/1121341.1121477.
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    • Astrachan, O., N. Parlante, D. D. Garcia, and S. Reges. “Teaching tips we wish they'd told us before we started.” Sigcse 2007: 38th Sigcse Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, October 1, 2007, 2–3. https://doi.org/10.1145/1227310.1227314.
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    • Astrachan, O., K. Bruce, E. Koffman, M. Kölling, and S. Reges. “Resolved: Objects early has failed.” Proceedings of the Thirty Sixth Sigcse Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, Sigcse 2005, June 27, 2005, 451–52.
    • Astrachan, O. L. “Non-competitive programming contest problems as the basis for just-in-time teaching.” Proceedings  Frontiers in Education Conference, Fie 1 (December 1, 2004).
    • Ginat, D., O. Astrachan, D. D. Garcia, and M. Guzdial. “"But it looks right!": The bugs students don't see.” Proceedings of the Sigcse Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, June 14, 2004, 284–85.
    • Astrachan, O. “Why I care about programming and how to teach it.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education) 36, no. 1 (March 1, 2004): 235. https://doi.org/10.1145/1028174.971302.
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    • Ginat, D., O. Astrachan, D. D. Garcia, and M. Guzdial. “"But it looks rightl": The bugs students don't see.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education) 36, no. 1 (March 1, 2004): 284–85. https://doi.org/10.1145/1028174.971401.
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    • Astrachan, O. “Bubble sort: An archaeological algorithmic analysis.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education), July 17, 2003, 1–5.
    • Astrachan, O. L., R. C. Duvall, J. Forbes, and S. H. Rodger. “Active learning in small to large courses.” Proceedings  Frontiers in Education Conference 1 (December 1, 2002).
    • Astrachan, O. L., D. Bernstein, A. English, and B. Koh. “Development issues for a networked, object oriented gaming architecture (NOOGA) teaching tool.” Proceedings Frontiers in Education Conference 1 (January 1, 2002): 17–22. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE.2002.1157952.
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    • Astrachan, O. “OO overkill: When simple is better than not.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education), January 1, 2001, 302–6. https://doi.org/10.1145/366413.364608.
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    • Kelemen, C., A. Tucker, P. Henderson, K. Bruce, and O. Astrachan. “Has our curriculum become math-phobic? (An American perspective).” Proceedings of the Conference on Integrating Technology Into Computer Science Education, Iticse, January 1, 2000, 132–35. https://doi.org/10.1145/343048.343143.
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    • Astrachan, O. “Concrete teaching: Hooks and props as instructional technology.” Proceedings of the Conference on Integrating Technology Into Computer Science Education, Iticse Part F129252 (August 1, 1998): 21–24. https://doi.org/10.1145/282991.283003.
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    • Astrachan, O., G. Berry, L. Cox, and G. Mitchener. “Design patterns: An essential component of CS curricula.” Poceedings of the Conference on Integrating Technology Into Computer Science Education, Iticse, January 1, 1998, 153–60.
    • Astrachan, O., G. Berry, L. Cox, and G. Mitchener. “Design patterns: An essential component of CS curricula.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education) 30, no. 1 (January 1, 1998): 153–60. https://doi.org/10.1145/274790.273182.
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    • Astrachan, O., and S. H. Rodger. “Animation, visualization, and interaction in CS 1 assignments.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education) 30, no. 1 (January 1, 1998): 317–21. https://doi.org/10.1145/274790.274321.
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    • Astrachan, O., and S. H. Rodger. “Animation, visualization, and interaction in CS 1 assignments.” Poceedings of the Conference on Integrating Technology Into Computer Science Education, Iticse, January 1, 1998, 317–21. https://doi.org/10.1145/273133.274321.
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    • Astrachan, O. L., G. Chapman, S. H. Rodger, and M. A. Weiss. “The reasoning for the advanced placement C++ subset.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education) 29, no. 4 (January 1, 1997): 62–65. https://doi.org/10.1145/271125.271158.
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    • Astrachan, O. L., and D. W. Loveland. “The use of lemmas in the Model Elimination procedure.” Journal of Automated Reasoning 19, no. 1 (January 1, 1997): 117–41. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005770705587.
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    • Astrachan, O., R. Smith, and J. Wilkes. “Application-based modules using apprentice learning for CS 2.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education) 29, no. 1 (January 1, 1997): 233–37. https://doi.org/10.1145/268085.268172.
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    • Astrachan, O., T. Selby, and J. Unger. “Object-oriented, apprenticeship approach to data structures using simulation.” Proceedings  Frontiers in Education Conference, December 1, 1996, 130–34.
    • Tucker, A. B., O. Astrachan, K. Bruce, R. Cupper, P. Denning, S. Drysdale, T. Horton, et al. “Strategic directions in computer science education.” Acm Computing Surveys 28, no. 4 (January 1, 1996): 836–45. https://doi.org/10.1145/242223.246876.
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    • Horwitz, S., K. Appel, T. Cuprak, D. Kay, C. Nevison, L. Schram, M. Stehlik, and O. Astrachan. “The First-Course Conundrum.” Communications of the Acm 38, no. 6 (June 1, 1995): 117–18. https://doi.org/10.1145/203241.203270.
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    • Horwitz, S., K. Appel, T. Cuprak, D. Kay, C. Nevison, L. Schram, M. Stehlik, and O. Astrachan. “The First-Course Conundrum.” Communications of the Acm 38, no. 6 (June 1, 1995): 116–17. https://doi.org/10.1145/203241.203266.
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    • Astrachan, O., and D. Reed. “AAA and CS 1: The Applied Apprenticeship Approach to CS 1.” Acm Sigcse Bulletin 27, no. 1 (March 15, 1995): 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1145/199691.199694.
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    • Arnow, D., O. Astrachan, J. Kiper, R. Workman, P. Whitlock, B. Auernheimer, and J. Rager. “Themes and Tapestries: A Diversity of Approaches to Computer Science for Liberal Arts Students.” Acm Sigcse Bulletin 26, no. 1 (December 3, 1994): 374–75. https://doi.org/10.1145/191033.191176.
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    • Astrachan, O. “Self-reference is an illustrative essential.” Acm Sigcse Bulletin 26, no. 1 (December 3, 1994): 238–42. https://doi.org/10.1145/191033.191131.
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    • Chapman, G., S. Fix, O. Astrachan, J. Kmoch, and M. Clancy. “Case Studies in the Advanced Placement Computer Science Curriculum (Abstract).” Acm Sigcse Bulletin 26, no. 1 (December 3, 1994): 371. https://doi.org/10.1145/191033.191173.
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    • Hirshfield, S., O. Astrachan, J. Barr, K. Donnelly, D. Levine, and M. McGinn. “Object-Oriented Programming (Abstract): How to “Scale Up” CS 1.” Acm Sigcse Bulletin 26, no. 1 (December 3, 1994): 396. https://doi.org/10.1145/191033.191203.
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    • Astrachan, O. “METEOR: Exploring model elimination theorem proving.” Journal of Automated Reasoning 13, no. 3 (October 1, 1994): 283–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00881946.
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    • Chapman, G., S. Fix, O. Astrachan, J. Kmoch, and M. Clancy. “Case studies in the advanced placement computer science curriculum.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education) 26, no. 1 (March 1, 1994).
    • Hirshfield, S., O. Astrachan, J. Barr, K. Donnelly, D. Levine, and M. McGinn. “Object-oriented programming: how to 'scale up' CS 1.” Sigcse Bulletin (Association for Computing Machinery, Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education) 26, no. 1 (March 1, 1994).
    • Khera, V., O. Astrachan, and D. Kotz. “The Internet Programming Contest: A Report and Philosophy.” Acm Sigcse Bulletin 25, no. 1 (January 3, 1993): 48–52. https://doi.org/10.1145/169073.169105.
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    • Astrachan, O. “On Finding a Stable Roommate, Job, or Spouse: A Case Study Crossing the Boundaries of Computer Science Courses.” Acm Sigcse Bulletin 24, no. 1 (January 3, 1992): 107–12. https://doi.org/10.1145/135250.134533.
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    • Astrachan, O. “Pictures as Invariants.” Acm Sigcse Bulletin 23, no. 1 (January 3, 1991): 112–18. https://doi.org/10.1145/107005.107026.
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    • Shub, C. M., O. Astrachan, D. Levine, S. Reges, and H. Walker. “Faster, fairer, and more consistent grading, using techniques from the Advanced Placement reading.” Acm Sigcse Bulletin 22, no. 1 (January 2, 1990): 266. https://doi.org/10.1145/319059.323445.
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  • Conference Papers

    • Sahami, M., O. Astrachan, S. Czajka, A. Decker, and J. Rosato. “Should the AP Computer Science A Exam Switch to Using Python?” In Sigcse 2022  Proceedings of the 53rd Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V.2, 1015–16, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1145/3478432.3499230.
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    • Gray, J., O. Astrachan, K. Haynie, C. Uche, S. Cooney, F. Trees, and R. Kick. “Infusing cooperative learning into AP computer science principles courses to promote engagement and diversity.” In Sigcse 2019  Proceedings of the 50th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 1190–96, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1145/3287324.3287421.
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    • Moderator, C. F., O. Astrachan, D. D. Garcia, D. Musicant, and J. Rosato. “CS principles higher education pathways.” In Sigcse 2019  Proceedings of the 50th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 498–99, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1145/3287324.3287342.
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    • Camp, T., E. Schanzer, J. Goode, E. Campos, and O. Astrachan. “CSPdWeek: A scalable model for preparing teachers for CS for all.” In Proceedings of the Conference on Integrating Technology Into Computer Science Education, Iticse, 645–46, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1145/3017680.3017681.
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    • Astrachan, O., and R. B. Osborne. “Advanced placement computer science principles (APCSP): A report from teachers.” In Sigcse 2016  Proceedings of the 47th Acm Technical Symposium on Computing Science Education, 681–82, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1145/2839509.2844677.
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    • Arpaci-Dusseau, A., M. Bauer, B. Franke, J. Griffin, R. Morelli, O. Astrachan, M. Carrell, et al. “Computer science principles: Analysis of a proposed advanced placement course.” In Sigcse 2013  Proceedings of the 44th Acm Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 251–56, 2013.
    • Parlante, N., O. Astrachan, M. Clancy, R. E. Paths, J. Zelenski, and S. Reges. “Nifty assignments panel.” In Sigcse 1999  Proceedings of the 13th Sigcse Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, 354–55, 1999. https://doi.org/10.1145/384266.299809.
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    • Astrachan, O., and D. Reed. “AAA and CS 1 the applied apprenticeship approach to CS 1.” In Proceedings of the 26th Sigcse Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, Sigcse 1995, 1–5, 1995. https://doi.org/10.1145/199688.199694.
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    • Astrachan, O. L., and M. E. Stickel. “Caching and lemmaizing in model elimination theorem provers.” In Lecture Notes in Computer Science (Including Subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics), 607 LNAI:224–38, 1992. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-55602-8_168.
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    • Astrachan, O. “Pictures as invariants.” In Proceedings of the Eastern Joint Computer Conference: Design and Application of Small Digital Computers, Aiee Ire 1954, 112–18, 1954. https://doi.org/10.1145/107004.107026.
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• Teaching & Mentoring
• 

  Recent Courses

  • COMPSCI 201: Data Structures and Algorithms 2023
  • COMPSCI 243: Programming Interview Skills and Practice 2023
  • COMPSCI 342: Technical and Social Analysis of Information and the Internet 2023
  • COMPSCI 703: Programming Interview Skills and Practice 2023
  • COMPSCI 243: Programming Interview Skills and Practice 2022
  • COMPSCI 342: Technical and Social Analysis of Information and the Internet 2022
  • COMPSCI 391: Independent Study 2022
  • COMPSCI 703: Programming Interview Skills and Practice 2022
  • COMPSCI 201: Data Structures and Algorithms 2021
  • COMPSCI 243: Programming Interview Skills and Practice 2021
  • COMPSCI 342: Technical and Social Analysis of Information and the Internet 2021
  • COMPSCI 703: Programming Interview Skills and Practice 2021

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