We didn’t use computers in science when I was in school, until I took AP Chemistry. I know we built and drew models of systems that were either too big or too small to experience in the classroom, in order to better understand those systems. But I can’t think of a time we created a model/simulation in order to solve a real-world problem. In chemistry, we used computer models of molecules in order to understand chemical reactions. I would love to use computational science in my 6th grade class to study energy resources. For instance, we could study the effects of using various resources on the environment, or the rate of use and depletion of nonrenewable resources.
We did a lot of hands on inquiry learning experiments when I took science in middle school. That is what got me hooked. Computational science allows you to expand on inquiry learning experiences that might not be tangable in a classroom. Students could build a physical model to show how the earth revolves around the sun and use a computational model to show relationship between distance over time.
Living in a coastal area I’m always thinking about flooding and the ocean. Computational science would allow for simulations of preventive measures and evacuation procedures.
Reflection for Stage 4
Traditional science involves asking questions and conducting experiments to find answers and solve problems. This is similar to computational science in that both have an inquiry approach. However, computational science allows us to conduct experiments in the lab that would not be possible using the traditional science experiment approach.
When using a traditional science lab to conduct long term investigations to identify dominant and recessive genes in drosophila (fruit flies), it would be impossible to get immediate results for the crossings of different generations (F1, F2, F3, etc), because drosophila has a 14 day life cycle. However, computational science allows you to use a computer simulation model that gives you immediate results of as many generational crosses you choose to investigate. For example, you may choose to cross a male drosophila (fruit fly) red eye colored wild type, phenotype (a dominant gene) with a female drosophila purple eye colored, phenotype (a recessive gene). You could continue up to the fifth generation and get immediate result of the various crosses. This would not be possible using the traditional method.
I used the traditional science experiment both in high school and college. However, as a middle school teacher I realized the importance of using computational science to conduct simulations that would be impossible to conduct in the traditional lab. As you suggested, I also thought about using computational model to investigate the solar system. I thought about how computational model could help students to see how the planets’ distance from the sun and orbital speed are related. How these variables keep the planets in orbit, despite the sun’s extremely greater gravitational force. How would a change in orbital speed or distance affect each planet?
Reflection for: Stage 5: Agent Base Modeling of Complex Adaptive Systems
The complex adaptive system that comes to mind is a simulation of how predators and environment influence coloration of guppy causing the guppies’ populations to change over time.
The agents involved were male and female guppies of different colors and predators Rivulus, Acara, and Cichlid.
The environment was different parts of a stream and different types of predators in the stream.
The color of the guppies determined which female guppies will be mated. In addition, the color of the guppies also determined whether or not they would be eaten by predators. The locations of the stream where the guppies are found also determine the survival rate of the guppies because the different (head of the stream, middle of the stream end of the stream) locations within the stream determine the amount and type of predator present.
I do agree that Computational Science will help our children to become better critical thinkers. In terms of cost, I do agree that it will reduce the cost for the amount of equipment and materials usually used in the traditional science lab. A great advantage I can think of is the amount of space that can be utilize because of the reduction of stored materials. However, we still need some of the tradition tools such as microscopes which can be used with computers these days.
I love your idea for using computer modeling to study genetics - I think it could really move students forward in helping them to understand the more subtle and complex aspects of genetics. When I end my genetics unit I wonder if students have truly grasped the connections between multiple generations of crosses and changes to a population. This type of simulation could also strengthen their understanding of phenotype v. genotype.
I would love that sand table to teach topography in a more visual and kinesthetic manner.
Students can use computational science in the study of climate change. Students can model levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere or the effects of temperature changes on certain environments.
There are many things studied in science that are too difficult to experiment with in a traditional lab because they are too small, too big, or too slow. In some cases, you might also encounter difficulties with animal or human subjects that could be overcome by using a computer model. Some examples that come to mind are evolution, weather & climate models, behavior of molecules, interaction of species in an ecosystem, etc. Moving beyond the MS/HS classroom, many aspects of public health could be modeled in this way but would be difficult to study in a traditional lab.
Analyzing earthquake frequency and magnitude along specific plate boundaries is something that one cannot do in a lab but could use computational modeling to help discover patterns in earthquake activity.
Such a great point! That would be really interactive way to teach a topic that is abstract for students
When I was taught science growing up, many of my teachers used rote learning. Adding in computational science makes learning science more hands on and more collaborative.
I can see this being used to perform dna analysis