IT’S ALIVE: DYNAMIC VISUALIZATION IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE Scott A. Sinex & Barbara A. Gage Department of Physical Sciences Prince George’s Community College Presented at MICCA 2002: Technology, the Classroom, and You Baltimore, MD, March 2002

The Advantages of Technology a tool to enhance guided-inquiry instruction Fast manipulation of large data sets For graphical presentation: static to dynamic (mathematical models and simulations) Leaving flatland: 2D to 3D with movement Abstract concepts illustrated – microscopic nature of matter

Meeting National Standards American Mathematical Association for Two-Year Colleges (AMATYC) National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) NSF’s Shaping the Future National Science Education Standards College Pathways to the Science Education Standards (NSTA) National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)

Dynamic Visualization Modified from Barry Adams, Apple Computer

The tools we use TI-83 graphing calculator – data analysis Excel – data analysis and interactive spreadsheets STELLA modeling software - simulations Chime – molecular structure rendering software (freeware) Spartan – to produce animations of molecules Internet – data source, Java simulations NetLogo (StarLogo T) – simulations of collections of particles (freeware)

Why do we do this? To get students actively engaged in the learning process To explore further possibilities with models and simulations To investigate at the conceptual level

PGCC Physical Sciences Dept. Downloads of freeware and pdf handouts for software

Interactive Curves Weak Acid Behavior Gas Velocity Distribution

To get STELLA at High Performance Systems- Maryland Virtual High School CoreModels Program Dissolved Oxygen Model and Simulation (Use IE to download)

To get Chime: Molecules in Motion The chemists have left flatland! Browser plug-in and allows for interaction Structure and Bonding

Rotation of Biphenyl Molecule and its relative energy Expensive software – faculty using as a tool in class and to produce animations as movies Big movie file –slow to load

Ocean Dive Simulation NCTM Illuminations Website

To get Netlogo- Gas Particles Model

How has our classroom changed? More use of Internet and STELLA simulations in lecture/discussion More class time spent in the computer lab More out-of-class projects that involve modeling data Assessment of understanding rather than just regurgitation or algorithm application More integration of mathematics

How have our students changed? Ask more involved questions and are more willing to participate Are more comfortable using technology Handle more involved assessments and projects successfully

Department of Physical Sciences – downloadable resources at Scott Sinex see teaching and publications list Barb Gage see courses taught