Paula Bonta

{{Short description|Argentinian-Canadian computer scientist}}

{{Infobox person

|name =Paula Bonta

|occupation =Computer scientist, Software designer, Programmer

|nationality = Argentinian/Canadian

}}

Paula Bonta is an Argentinian-Canadian computer scientist and educational software designer. She is known for developing programming environments for children, most notably contributing to the design of the Scratch programming language before it was even called Scratch.{{cite web|url=https://scratch.mit.edu/info/credits|title=Scratch - Credits|website=scratch.mit.edu}} She co-founded the Playful Invention Company, a spin-off from the MIT Media Lab noted for developing the Programmable Cricket, with Mitchel Resnick and Brian Silverman and serves as Lead Designer."[http://www.picocricket.com/picopeople.html PicoCricket - Invention Kit That Integrates Art and Technology.]" PicoCricket - Invention Kit That Integrates Art and Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 July 2013.{{cite web|last1=Roush|first1=Wade|title=With PicoCricket, MIT Spinoff is Out to Prove Computer Toys Aren't Just for Boys {{!}} Xconomy|url=http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2007/09/14/with-picocricket-mit-spinoff-is-out-to-prove-computer-toys-arent-just-for-boys/|website=Xconomy|accessdate=29 July 2017|date=14 September 2007}} She was also the design director for several award-winning software products for children, including MicroWorlds and the "My Make Believe" series of products from Logo Computer Systems, Inc.{{cite web|title=Invention kit that integrates art and technology|url=http://picocricket.com/picopeople.html|website=PicoCricket|accessdate=29 July 2017}} She has a degree in computer science and a graduate degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.