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Cynthia Solomon PhD | |
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![]() Cynthia Solomon | |
Born | 1938 (age 85–86) |
Citizenship | United States |
Education | BA, Radcliffe College, 1959 MS, Boston University, 1976 PhD, Harvard University, 1985 |
Known for | Logo Technology education |
Awards | NCWIT Pioneer Award, 2016 Constructionism Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016 |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Computer science Technology education |
Institutions | MIT Bolt, Beranek and Newman Logo Computer Systems Atari Cambridge Research Laboratory |
Website | Logo Things |
Cynthia Solomon is an American computer scientist known for her work in popularizing computer science for students.[1] She is a pioneer in the fields of computer science, and educational computing. While working as a researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Solomon took it upon herself to understand and program in the programming language Lisp. As she began learning this language, she realized the need for a programming language that was more accessible and understandable for children. Throughout her research studies in education, Solomon worked full-time as a computer teacher in elementary and secondary schools. Her work has mainly focused on research on human-computer interaction and children as designers. While working at Bolt, Beranek and Newman, she worked with Wally Feurzeig and Seymour Papert, to create the first programming language for children, named Logo.[2] The language was created to teach concepts of programming related to Lisp. Solomon has attained many accomplishments in her life such as being the vice president of R&D for Logo Computer Systems, Inc., when Apple Logo was developed and was the Director of the Atari Cambridge Research Laboratory. Solomon worked on the program committee of Constructing Modern Knowledge and the Marvin Minsky Institute for Artificial Intelligence in 2016. Further, she has published many writings based on research in the field of child education and technology in the classroom. Solomon has conducted workshops in elementary schools, high schools, and colleges regarding academic research and writing. She continues to contribute to the field by speaking at conferences and working with the One Laptop per Child Foundation.