Jan Plane

Jan Plane is a Researcher at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), serving as Director of the Maryland Center for Women in Computing and Associate-Director of ACES, the first undergraduate cybersecurity honors program. Her work focuses on computer science education, curriculum design, and equitable access for underrepresented groups in computing. She holds graduate degrees in both computer science and education.

Research Interests

Dr. Plane's research emphasizes computational thinking integration in K-12 science education, game-based learning methodologies, and diversity initiatives to broaden participation in computing. Her work addresses systemic barriers faced by women and students of color, advocating for mentorship programs and teacher professional development to foster inclusive learning environments.

Programs & Contributions

• CompSciConnect: A multi-year summer program to engage underrepresented students
• Design-based research on teacher training for computational thinking
• Capacity-building projects in sub-Saharan Africa and Afghanistan
• Development of cybersecurity educational games promoting equity

Grants & Outreach

Her work includes grants supporting near-peer mentorship networks, micro-internships, and longitudinal studies tracking post-secondary outcomes for marginalized computing students. She advises the Association for Women in Computing and leads outreach efforts through the Maryland Computing Education Expansion initiative.