Hi, I'm Michael Smith
Computer Sciences + Learning Sciences PhD Candidate at Northwestern University

I explore the intersection of computer science and learning sciences. My research examines how technology shapes educational experiences and identity formation, especially in the unique context of sports. I investigate questions around computer science capital, project-based learning in sports tech courses, and the development of data literacy in informal settings. Using mixed-methods research—including interviews, surveys, and computational analysis—I seek to understand the experiences of diverse learners, from student-athletes to coaches and mentors. My work aims to contribute to a more inclusive, empowering computer science education, with a goal of leveraging technology to create equitable learning opportunities and deepen understanding of the complex relationship between sports, technology, and society.

Publications

• Kshirsagar, K., Quiterio, A., Smith, M. (2025) MorphBlox: Bridging Play and Mathematics through Kinetic Tessellations. In Proceedings of the Nineteenth International Conference on Tangible, Embedded, and Embodied Interaction (TEI '25).
• Worsley, M., Quiterio, A., Kumar, V., Smith, M., Bodon, H., and Butler, M. (2025). SportSense: Engaging youth in data science experience in in-school and out-of-school K-12 contexts. In Proceedings of the 2025 Data Science Education K-12: Research to Practice Conference.
• Ashley Quiterio, Marcelo Worsley, Michael Smith, Anna Xiao. (2025). Data Scavenger Hunt: Actively Authoring Data and Interpreting Movement. In Proceedings of the 2025 Data Science Education K-12: Research to Practice Conference.
• Quiterio, A., & Smith, M. (2024, May). Data Informed Learning for Equity: Empowering Volunteer Coaches in Youth Basketball Leagues. In Proceedings of the 2024 on RESPECT Annual Conference (pp. 139-142). https://doi.org/10.1145/3653666.3656081
• Smith, M., Kumar, V., Worsley, M. (2024). Unveiling Student Interests: A Topic Modeling Exploration of Interest-Driven Project-Based Learning. Companion Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge. https://www.solaresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LAK24_CompanionProceedings.pdf
• Smith, M. (2023). Critical Media Literacy for Sports Technology Design. Proceedings of the 54th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 2, 1314. https://doi.org/10.1145/3545947.3576261
• Smith, M. (2022). Wayfinding for an Educational Game Approach to Algorithmic Interrogation and Analysis. In Proceedings of the 53rd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 2 (pp. 1053-1053). https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3478432.3499245
• Clegg, T., Edouard, K., Greene, D., Jones, S.T., Melo, N., Nasir, N., Shapiro, R. B., Smith, M., Wright, C. G., Worsley, M., & Zimmermann-Niefield, A. (2020). Reconceptualizing Legitimate and Generative Learning Experiences in Sports and Technology. In Gresalfi, M. and Horn, I. S. (Eds.), The Interdisciplinarity of the Learning Sciences, 14th International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS) 2020, Volume 1 (pp. 461-467). Nashville, Tennessee: International Society of the Learning Sciences.

Talks

• “A Mixed-Method Examination of a Sports Technology Makerspace”. Michael Smith (2023). Learning Sciences Graduate Students Conference (LSGSC), Iowa City, IA
• “Sports and Technology Teaching as a Jump-off Space for Classroom Conversations about Ableism” Michael Smith, Natalie Araujo Melo, Vishesh Kumar, and Marcelo A.B. Worsley (2023) American Educational Research Association (AERA), Chicago, IL
• “Opportunities and Challenges in a Community-Based Design Research Approach: Implementing Making in an Afterschool Program for Refugees”. Sarah Lee, Melissa Perez, Michael Smith, and Marcelo Worsley (2019). Learning Sciences Graduate Students Conference (LSGSC), Evanston, IL

Research

Technological Innovations for Inclusive Learning and Teaching (tiilt) lab
tiilt.northwestern.edu
Jan. 2019 - Present
PI: Marcelo Worsley, Northwestern University

Center for Robotics and Biosystems (f.k.a Neuroscience and Robotics Laboratory)
robotics.northwestern.edu
June - Sept. 2015
PI: Malcolm A. MacIver, Northwestern University

Industry

Summer 2024 NVIDIA Corporation Santa Clara, CA (Remote) PhD Research Intern

I conducted research on a patent-pending dynamic power management approach to optimize power utilization in NVIDIA’s HPC GPU clusters. By modernizing a tool for collecting and analyzing telemetry data from NVIDIA’s domestic clusters, I demonstrated a 15% increase in max utilization, potentially saving millions of dollars.

Summer 2019 Intel Corporation Phoenix, AZ (Remote) Graduate Engineering Intern

I compiled recommendations for establishing a testing infrastructure and demonstrated available means for test automation.

Summer 2018 Intel Corporation Hillsboro, OR Graduate Technical Intern

I improved the C++ codebase and created diagnostic tools to help developers identify and fix problems in post-silicon validation testing. I also made analytic reports to enhance end-user experience and direct development resources.

Summer 2017 Intel Corporation Hillsboro, OR Hardware Architecture Engineering Intern

I improved an existing Python tool for performance benchmark analysis by expanding its functionality, validating it, and visualizing the results.

Summer 2016 Narrative Science (now Tableau) Chicago, IL QA/Test Engineering Intern

I established Python frameworks for functional and parity testing of a new embedded NLP API (the success of which led to the startup’s acquisition), created automated Selenium browser regression tests, and generated diverse BI data visualizations.