NSDL/NSTA Web Seminar: Learning By Doing—Computational Science LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP

Access to large collections of simulations and interactives Resources for 21st century learning skills CSERD: NSDL Computational Science Pathway

What is Computational Science?

uses models to demonstrate and visualize concepts Computational Science… New Moon?Full Moon?

uses real-life situations to teach inquiry-based math and science concepts Computational Science… Greater than 340?Less than 340? Estimator: The number of stars is greater or less than 340

Computational Science… helps students learn how to use technology to solve problems TopplesStands

Computational Science… uses interactive tools to observe and analyze data

Interactive Activities Lesson Plans Discussions Suggestions & Help Computational Science Education Reference Desk (CSERD)

Skill level with use of technology in classroom? Novice Advanced Combine math and science together in your curriculum? Rarely to Never On a regular basis Occasionally Intermediate

Modern science and mathematics are more concerned with pattern recognition and characterization than with mere symbol manipulation.

Recognition The pahomnnehil pweor of the hmuan mnid. Aoccdrnig to a rehcaseerr at Cmabirdge Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny imprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a whlohe. Anizamg huh?

Characterization Rabbits and Wolves: Population Dynamics

Symbol Manipulation

interactive math based activities Lesson plans Discussions Worksheets Open-ended explorations Dictionary Standards alignments

Given: If 1 tree is on fire there is a 100% probability that the tree next to it will catch. Predict: How much of the forest will burn? Exactly 0%0%-50% 50%-100%Exactly 100%

Given: If 1 tree is on fire there is a 0% probability that the tree next to it will catch. Predict: How much of the forest will burn? Exactly 0%0%-50% 50%-100%Exactly 100%

Interactivate’s Scatter Plot Activity Data Points 0, 0 1, 100 As a scatter plot our data looks like:

Given: If 1 tree is on fire there is a 50% probability that the tree next to it will catch. Predict: How much of the forest will burn? Poll Question:

You try it! We will now take you to this link: Try using the Fire! Interactive a few times on your own We will bring you back in 3 minutes… ask for help by pushing *6 if you need it!

Data from 10 Burns at 50% Probability of Burn Trial #% Burned 11% 227% 354% 465% 541% MEAN from 10 trials: ~45% Trial #% Burned 644% 769% 843% 960% 1045%

Interactivate’s Scatter Plot Activity Red Data Points (0, 0) (1, 100) Blue Data Points (0, 0) (0.5, 45) (1, 100) As a scatter plot our data looks like: Hmm… How could we find the overall pattern?

Recognizing the Pattern Resulting graph in green from averaging 10 burns at each of the following probabilities: 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1

Computers help us to model and simulate real world phenomena so we can better understand the world around us. Would you have predicted that pattern? The model is only as good as the design. How does the Fire!! model relate to the real world and how does it not?

Science Experimental Design Experimental Control Independent and Dependent Variables Conjecture and Hypothesis Chaos Mathematics Fractions / Percents Scatter Plots, Graphing Coordinate Pairs Reading / Interpreting Graphs Mean / Average Probability Randomness Possible Content Addressed:

More Robust Models Interactivate’s Directable Fire!! (not pictured) Interactivate’s A Better Fire!! (pictured below)

Go to and click on the K-12 audience pagehttp://nsdl.org Download this seminar’s annotated module for resources from this seminar and more!

THANK YOU! Patricia Jacobs Robert Payo Bethany Hudnutt

National Science Teachers Association Gerry Wheeler, Executive Director Frank Owens, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-Learning LIVE INTERACTIVE YOUR DESKTOP NSTA Web Seminars Flavio Mendez, Program Manager Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator Judith Lopes, Administrative Assistant Susan Hurstcalderone, Volunteer Chat Moderator