A new kind of science Education Lessons Learned from StarLogo and Perspectives on NKS Bakhtiar Mikhak – MIT Media Lab Bakhtiar Mikhak – MIT Media Lab Brian Silverman – MIT Media Lab Brian Silverman – MIT Media Lab Eric Klopfer – MIT Teacher Education Eric Klopfer – MIT Teacher Education Hal Scheintaub – Governor Dummer Academy Hal Scheintaub – Governor Dummer Academy

A new kind of science Education Adventures in Modeling Eric Klopfer MIT Teacher Education Program Hal Scheintaub Governor Dummer Academy

Platforms for Simulating Complex Systems StarLogo Users create simulations by writing simple rules for individual creatures Users create simulations by writing simple rules for individual creatures No sophisticated mathematics or programming required No sophisticated mathematics or programming required Opportunity to explore emergent and complex systems Opportunity to explore emergent and complex systems …ultimately the key to a real understanding is to experience ideas for oneself.

StarLogo Paradigm Observer (controls world) Observer (controls world) Turtles (animate agents) Turtles (animate agents) Patches (inanimate agents) Patches (inanimate agents)

StarLogo History Originally created by Mitchel MIT Media Lab on parallel Connection Machine Originally created by Mitchel MIT Media Lab on parallel Connection Machine Port to PC Requires Pseudo-Parallel Implementation Port to PC Requires Pseudo-Parallel Implementation Brought to Macintosh 1990s Brought to Macintosh 1990s Brought to Java about 1999 Brought to Java about 1999 Continued development at MIT to make modeling accessible to more students Continued development at MIT to make modeling accessible to more students

Example Pond Pond Frogs and Toads Happy when % similar around Move when unhappy

More Examples Traffic Traffic Chemical Reactions Chemical Reactions Spread of Diseases Spread of Diseases Flocking Flocking Cooperation Cooperation Ecology Ecology

Learning About Complex Systems Collaboration between MIT and the Santa Fe Institute Collaboration between MIT and the Santa Fe Institute Learning by creating Learning by creating Input from research community Input from research community For teachers and/or students For teachers and/or students

On Computers

Challenges Problem statements encourage exploration of model design Problem statements encourage exploration of model design Examples minimize direct instruction Examples minimize direct instruction Open-ended nature embraces a wide variety of solutions Open-ended nature embraces a wide variety of solutions

Model Classification* Idea Models Idea Models e.g. Model of Predator and Prey e.g. Model of Predator and Prey Minimal Models for Systems Minimal Models for Systems e.g. Model of Wolves and Caribou e.g. Model of Wolves and Caribou Systems Models Systems Models e.g. Model of every Wolf and Caribou in 5 square mile section of Yellowstone e.g. Model of every Wolf and Caribou in 5 square mile section of Yellowstone *This classification scheme was proposed by J. Roughgarden. Increasing complexity and detail Decreasing generality and applicability

Pinups OfflineOnline

Off Computer Activities

Participatory Simulations Engage learners in computer mediated simulations Engage learners in computer mediated simulations Provide rich learning experiences where technology and social interaction are key Provide rich learning experiences where technology and social interaction are key Use relatively simple and cheap technologies (Palms<$100) and IR peer to peer communication Use relatively simple and cheap technologies (Palms<$100) and IR peer to peer communication

Learning about… Complex Systems Complex Systems

Learning about… Simulations and the Scientific Method Simulations and the Scientific Method

Learning about… Content (e.g. speciation, crystallization, osmosis) created by teachers Content (e.g. speciation, crystallization, osmosis) created by teachers

Learning about… Design, Technology, and Programming Design, Technology, and Programming AIS

Next Generation

Where is this Used? Middle School -> Grad School Middle School -> Grad School Preservice and Inservice Teacher Training Preservice and Inservice Teacher Training New England, New Mexico, Mexico… New England, New Mexico, Mexico… Single Labs -> Whole Courses Single Labs -> Whole Courses

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