Show Summary:

In this episode, Natasha chats with UCLA researchers Dr. Jean Ryoo and Dr. Jane Margolis—leaders on the frontlines of broadening K–12 computer science education. Their research inspired Power On!, a graphic novel that follows four high school students confronting technology’s harmful impact, urging young readers to evolve into critical creators rather than passive users. Dr. Ryoo champions culturally responsive computing by amplifying minoritized student voices, while Dr. Margolis—an advocate for equity since 1994 and a White House Champion of Change honoree—brings decades of experience to the conversation. Tune in for a dynamic discussion on empowering students to thoughtfully navigate and shape the future of technology.

About Dr. Ryoo: Dr. Jean Ryoo is the Director of Research at UCLA’s Computer Science Equity Project, championing equity in STEM by amplifying minoritized voices. Her work transforms research into action—highlighted by Power On!, a graphic novel published by MIT Press—and she collaborates with initiatives like Girls Who Code and the Exploratorium’s Tinkering Studio. An AERA Jan Hawkins Early Career Award honoree with support from NSF, the Gates Foundation, and others, she earned her Ph.D. from UCLA, her Master’s in Teaching from Hawai’i, and her Bachelor’s from Harvard.

About Dr. Margolis: Dr. Jane Margolis is a transformative leader in equitable computer science education. As a Senior Researcher Emerita at UCLA, she’s been challenging the status quo since 1994 by championing the inclusion of women and students of color. Co-author of Power On! and the groundbreaking texts Unlocking the Clubhouse and Stuck in the Shallow End, she helped launch the UCLA CS Equity Project and build a lasting partnership with LAUSD. Named a White House Champion of Change in 2016, Margolis’s work continues to redefine who gets to shape our digital future.

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