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Computation and Science for Teachers (CAST) Program

Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center

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A Crisis in Science Education? In a landmark 2005 report “Rising Above the Gathering

Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future” from a joint committee of the National Academies, they wrote “…the committee is deeply concerned that the scientific and technical building blocks of our economic leadership are eroding at a time when many other nations are gathering strength. We fear the abruptness with which a lead in science and technology can be lost – and the difficulty of recovering a lead once lost, if indeed it can be regained at all.”

Their first recommendation: “Increase America’s talent pool by vastly improving K-12 science and mathematics education.”

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CAST Goals

Introduce the use and creation of effective models and simulations to high school science and math teachers.

Focus on modeling and simulation as a way to develop understanding of complex scientific concepts.

Also focus on the critical need to encourage students to consider careers in science and technology.

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Modeling and the Standards

Computer models are tools for achieving the academic

standards.

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Pennsylvania Department of Education Academic Standards for

Science and Technology

Inquiry and Design The nature of science and technology is characterized

by applying process knowledge that enables students to become independent learners. These skills include observing, classifying, inferring, predicting, measuring, computing, estimating, communicating, using space/time relationships, defining operationally, raising questions, formulating hypotheses, testing and experimenting, designing controlled experiments, recognizing variables, manipulating variables, interpreting data, formulating models, designing models, and producing solutions.

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Unifying Themes Grade 10/12 Indicators

Describe/apply concepts of models as a way to predict and understand science and technology.

Distinguish between different types of models and modeling techniques and apply their appropriate use in specific applications. (gr. 10)

Examine the advantages of using models to demonstrate processes and outcomes. (gr. 10)

Apply mathematical models to science and technology. (gr. 10)

Appraise the importance of computer models in interpreting science and technological systems.(gr. 12)

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Unifying Themes Grade 10/12 Indicators

Describe patterns of change in nature, physical and man made systems.

Describe how fundamental science and technology concepts are used to solve practical problems (e.g., momentum, Newton’s laws of universal gravitation, tectonics, conservation of mass and energy, cell theory, theory of evolution, atomic theory, theory of relativity, Pasteur’s germ theory, relativity, heliocentric theory, gas laws, feedback systems). (Gr. 10)

Recognize that stable systems often involve underlying dynamic changes (e.g., a chemical reaction at equilibrium has molecules reforming continuously). (Gr. 10)

Analyze how models, systems and technologies have changed over time (e.g., germ theory, theory of evolution, solar system, cause of fire). (Gr. 12)

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Modeling and Science Research

Jacobson and Wilensky in The Journal of the Learning Sciences write: “Complex systems approaches … enable researchers to study aspects of the real world for which events and actions have multiple causes and consequences, and where order and structure coexist at many different scales of time, space, and organization.”

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Modeling and Misconceptions

Jacobson and Wilensky go on to report that: “people tend to favor explanations that assume central control and deterministic causality” when, in reality, “higher order properties emerge from local interactions and not the reverse”.

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Three Questions

Jacobson and Wilensky suggest asking: What underlying mechanisms might

give rise to the observed behavior? How sensitive is the outcome to

changes in the model’s parameters or assumed environment?

How predictable is the behavior of this system and why?

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Ways to use Models

The teacher may– Use a web-based simulation as a

teaching tool– Learn to customize or modify a

computer model– Teach students to build a computer

model

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From Simulations to Model Building

These models have been developed and used by Maryland

high school teachers and their students.

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Predator/Preyan agent-based model

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Carbon Cyclea time-based model

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Radioactive Decay

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The Dangers of Tailgatinghttp://mvhs.mbhs.edu/~brgo/tailgating/index.php

You are driving on Parkway East in rush hour traffic. You learned the

two-second rule in Driver’s Education, but drivers cut infront of you if you leave that much space.

What is a safe separation distance?

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The Tailgating Model

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Scenario Results

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Global Warming and the Carbon Cycle

How is the burningof fossil fuelschanging the levelsof carbon in theatmosphere?

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Carbon Cycle Model

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Comparing Model Output to Real Data

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Carbon Cycle Model v. 2

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The Modeling Process

To design a computer model of a system, the student will:

Observe natural phenomena

Collect and interpret data Determine change over

time relationships among variables

Design a concept map of the system

Apply the scientific theories and math models underlying the system

To test the computer model, the student will:

Compare the model output to real-world data

Use the model to predict future behavior of the system

Formulate hypotheses and test them with the model

Manipulate variables to see the effect on the system

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Program outline

Two-stage process:– Select group of teachers nominated by

their superintendents for summer ’06– Reflect diversity of science disciplines

and area school districts– Week-long workshop followed by

quarterly follow-up sessions– Provide feedback and assist in

planning second session in summer ‘07

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Program outline(cont.)

Two-stage process:– Second cohort (24 – 30) teachers

selected through application process for summer ‘07

– First cohort will act as mentors, teachers for second class

– All trained teachers expected to share ideas with other teachers in their districts, both formally and informally

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Workshop Agenda

Monday• Program objectives and overview• What is Scientific Computing?• How does Scientific Computing fit in High

School? • How do I introduce scientific computing into my

classes?• The Learning Curve – from Simulations to Model

Building

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Workshop Agenda (cont.)

Tuesday• The Behavior over Time perspective in modeling• Using data in creating a model• Tools for modeling – Excel and Vensim PLE

Wednesday• The Agent-based perspective in modeling • Using NetLogo to create a model• How to match the topic and the tool?

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Workshop Agenda (cont.)

Thursday• How to integrate models into your

teaching?• Advanced Excel• Advanced Vensim• Advanced NetLogo• Planning for quarterly workshop follow-ups

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Workshop Agenda (cont.)

Friday• Teachers present a lesson they will use with their

students in the 06-07 school year.

Lunchtime sessions through the week • Raise awareness of teachers’ potential role in

shaping and encouraging the next generation of scientists

• Share strategies for encouraging the full participation of all students in science programs