The STAIRSTEP team in Computer Science is led by Professor Peggy Doerschuk , who directs the STAIRSTEP and INSPIRED programs. Dr. Doerschuk has led undergraduate and graduate students in research for over fifteen years. (Click here Dr. Doerschuk's departmental page.)

The CS STAIRSTEP team members include Julio Epassa, Ric Guidry, and Sean Skelton. We are always looking to include more students. Please download a STAIRSTEP application and send it to Dr. Doerschuk (or campus mail #10056) to apply.

Computer Science Undergraduates

Research - Computer Science STAIRSTEP students perform research in teams under the direction of Professor Doerschuk. Research areas include robotics, AI, and Computer Science education. The long-term goal of the robotics research is to develop teams of autonomous robots that can communicate and cooperate to perform their tasks. The Khepera robot is used as the platform for the robotics research. Current research in AI focuses on planning. Current research on Computer Science education centers on developing instructional materials for teaching middle school and high school kids computing concepts using fun applications like robotics, web design, and computer animation.

Outreach - CS STAIRSTEP outreach activities are designed to expose students to the many way in which computing benefits our society and the incredible range of career opportunities in computing. Team members are involved in outreach at the Sally Ride Festival, LU's Open House, New Student Orientations, Math Fest!, Career Days at local high schools, and INSPIRED computing academies for middle and high school students.

Publications - Work in Progress: STAIRSTEP - a program for expanding the student pipeline, "P. Doerschuk, C. Bahrim, J. Daniel, J. Kruger, J. Mann, C. Martin", Proceedings of the 39th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE-Conference), October, 2009, San Antonio, TX, pages M3F-1-2.