discovery science through computational thinking (dissect) enrico pontelli
TRANSCRIPT
DIScovery SciEnce through
Computational Thinking
(DISSECT)
Enrico Pontelli
What is NSF?
DISSECT – grant from the National Science Foundation
An independent federal agency
created by Congress in 1950
"to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…”
NSF grants funding to institutions to promote innovation, education and progress
What is GK-12?
NSF Graduate STEM Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12)
Supports fellowships and training for graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
Interactions with teachers and students in K-12 schools
Improve communication and teaching skills
Enrich STEM content and instruction for their K-12 partners
What is GK-12?
Create a coherent program
Enable Fellows to expand their research and skills
Target a specific K-12 intervention
Fellowships for Graduate Students
1 or 2 years
$30,000 per year + some support for tuitions and fees
Stipends for Teachers
What is DISSECT?
NMSU’s GK-12 Effort
3 to 5 years program
4 to 9 fellows per year
9 teachers per year
DISSECT = DIScover SciEnce through Computational Thinking
The “Spirit” of DISSECT
Core motivation
Computer Science is a pervasive science“All Science is Computer Science”
Yet
Science is not taught with this perspective
Computer scientists are not trained with this perspective
The “Spirit” of DISSECT
Overarching goals
1. Create a new generation of computer scientists
Nurture a broad view of CS research as instrument for progress in diverse scientific disciplines
Prepare CS researchers to be effective in such a broader area
The “Spirit” of DISSECT
2. Create new strategies to teach a more modern science
• Develop computational skills
• Explore science through computational views
Our Concrete Goals
Fellows goals
Expand their research reach
Computational research: explore integration with other disciplines (within and outside of computing)
Non-computational research: expand enhanced use of computational methods
Enhance communication skills
Training in pedagogical methods
Training and practice in delivery scientific content to a diverse and broad audience
Our Concrete Goals
Instructor goals
Training in computational thinking and computational methods
Assistance and support in introducing computational components in science courses
Development of long-term methods to expand students’ preparation in computational thinking
Your Role: DISSECT Fellow
You are the scientists
Share your research expertise among yourselves
Learn new techniques and technologies, explore collaborations among yourselves
Explore how to apply your collaborative research knowledge to bring computational thinking in K-12 science classes
Create educational modules and materials
Assist in training instructors and students
Learn new things, work as a team, have fun!
More about expectations later on…
Your Role: DISSECT Teacher
You are the educational experts
Share your expertise in K-12 systems, educational methods and practices
Share your expertise in Science education and standards
Learn computational thinking and methods
Collaborate in developing new modules and materials for Science education based on computational methods
Why are we here today?
Preliminary training workshop
Learn about DISSECT
Meet the team members
Start planning the semester activities
The first of a series of meetings