1. Simulations in Science Courses for Non-science Majors Keith Clay and Robert Filson Green River Community College
Interdisciplinary Science (IDS) is a yearlong sequence of courses for non-science majors. We use a series of hands-on inquiry modules as the primary mode of instruction as students investigate introductory topics in physics, chemistry, geoscience, environmental science, and biology.
Although most of the modules in IDS are hands-on, we use simulations, as shown on the left and on the laptop. Keith Clay, GRCC physics instructor, used “Physlets” to create these simulations. See the handouts for the URLs of the simulations and the accompanying modules.
Students work on modules during class time as instructors circulate and help. Simulations that require students to interact by changing variables seem to generate significant discussion and questions by the students.