This CS & IT Symposium presentation has two parts—this Powerpoint presentation and an Excel workbook/spreadsheet with multiple sheets. The presentation: provides some background; outlines activities using the spreadsheet; closes with some assessment suggestions and resources. Examine the presentation in "notes page" view. If that is not available, download a version from Philip's Web site at: The spreadsheet is available at:

Modeling: Innovative Curriculum for Computer Applications and Computer Science Philip East Betsy Frederick

Modeling n What is it n Need for simulation n Why use modeling and simulation

Benefits of Using Modeling (& Simulation) in Education n Benefits from problem-based activities (creating and implementing models) n Benefits related to computer use n Benefits of working with teachers of other disciplines

Teaching Using Modeling (& Simulation) n Advantages of/options with modeling n Various goals n Using versus developing models n Can use existing lessons n Can develop your own lessons

Some Caveats n Centralized and decentralized models n Correctness of models and simulations Always remember, the model and/or simulation can be wrong

A Sample Model & Simulation n Lots of things to model & tools to use n Alternatives within population modeling n Our goal–use population to illustrate the use of spreadsheets in modeling & simulation

Population Model/Simulation #1 n Simple model & simulation (sheet “One”) n Initial conditions & assumptions n Short term results n Longer term results n Eventual results n Accuracy of the model? the simulation?

Fixing Our First Attempt n Fixing the first attempt (sheet “Two”) n The new results? n Variations in reproduction? n Is the model accurate? Does it represent what we wish it to?

Making Peeps more like People n Making model & simulation more “human” n Vary survival rates by age (sheet “Three”) [another sheet shows how rates were determined] n Vary survival rates by year (sheet “Four”)

Making Peeps more like People (continued) n Add possibility for catastrophe (sheet “Five”) n Discussion

Remember to Assess your Instruction n Revisit the goals n Were they met? How do you know? n What can I (the teacher) learn to improve my future teaching?

Wrap Up n Questions? n Discussion?

Resources n Computational Science in Education Teaching modules in biology, environmental science, chemistry, physics, mathematics, using Excel, Stella, Mathematica. n New Mexico AiS (Adventures in Supercomputing) Challenge Project and problem based learning set in a context of a learning community and a competition. Technical writing, research, team management, math modeling, Summer Teacher Institute… n Shodor Education Foundation Models using the application Stella. Useful for ideas at least.

Resources WWW Resources for Earth System Science Education Links, links, & more links including some on modeling.