Project GUTS:Growing Up Thinking Scientifically

Welcome & Introduction

Outline:A National NeedComputational Science &

ModelingComplex Adaptive SystemsProject GUTS: framework &

implementationProgramming in StarLogo TNG

(demos)Findings and TrendsPreparation for future

endeavors

A National Need:

A National NeedComputer Science in not an exception (CRA, 2007-8)

Science in the 21st Century

Urgent need to understand large complex systems to address the problems of the 21st century that affect us all such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, energy consumption and virulent disease.

Science in the 21st Century

NATURE|Vol 460|6 August 2009

What is Computational Science?

What is Computational Science?

Increases in computational power enable us to:

• design and conduct experiments on

models of systems too big, too expensive or too dangerous to experiment with in the real-world.

• run multiple “what-if” scenarios quickly.

• collect and analyze large amounts of

data.

Computational Science Cycle

Science in the 21st Century

Urgent need to understand large complex systems to address the problems of the 21st century that affect us all such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, energy consumption and virulent disease.

What is a complex system?

Agent-based Modeling of Complex Adaptive Systems

Using agent-based modeling (ABM) tools, we are able to model complex adaptive systems.

An example: It consists of agents, an environment,

and interactions between agents

or between agents and environment.

It is adaptive and changes over time.

It generates “emergent” patterns.

Project GUTS goals:1. Attract diverse student populations2. Prepare students for careers in STEM

fields3. Retain student interest in STEM

disciplines4. Assess how teachers’ participation in

Project GUTS impacts how they think about and teach STEM in their classrooms

(STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)

Project GUTS offers:Afterschool clubs for middle school students in NM

*Elective classes in some middle schools

*Science teachers using the activities in science class.Fieldtrips and Student RoundtablesProfessional development workshops for teachersOutreach to local schools and communitiesMentoring of students that show a strong interest

Project GUTS Framework:• Place-based learning using the students’

neighborhood and school as the context for investigations.

• Studying local phenomena as complex systems both in life and using agent-based models created in StarLogo TNGEx) Spread of disease, traffic patterns, pollution,

ecosystems, emergency egress, shared resources and sustainability, social networks,

and opinion dynamics• Near-peer mentoring (high school students

mentor middle school students) • Meeting middle school students developmental

needs

Project GUTS Structure (semester):• 6 week introduction to computer

programming with StarLogo, complex systems and computer science concepts

• 6 week unit studying a local phenomena as complex systems both in life and using agent-based models created in StarLogo (Ex. Spread of disease, ecosystems, etc.)

• Field trips when possible• Roundtables at the end of the semester

to share models and learn from other students.

Project GUTS example of student investigation:

• Students collect data on traffic in front of their school and air pollution samples for analysis.

• Student create a computer model of pollution from cars using data collected in front of their school and run virtual experiments using the model as an experimental testbed.

Students collecting data for pollution model

A group of 7th and 8th graders modeling pollution in the community.

Project GUTS example of student investigation:

• Students learn about spread of disease playing the “Virus Game”

• Student create a computer model of a contagious disease spreading through their school. Then they try different strategies to mitigate the spread of the disease using their computer model as a test bed.

Students learn about virus spread by playing the Virus Game on PDAs

Students model of the spread of a virus in a school.

Project GUTS fieldtrips:• Students hear presentations on community

issues from local experts• Student see how computer models and

simulations are used to inform local decision makers.

Fire marshall discusses evacuation planning.Agent-based model of Santa Fe

Sandtable simulation

Project GUTS Roundtables:• Students present their projects to fellow club

members, parents, and community members. Roundtable discussions allow students to share their projects and compare their findings.

Project GUTS sponsors and funders:Santa Fe Institute National Science Foundation & NM EpscorGoogle RISE Code.org

Project GUTS partners:Supercomputing Challenge Santa Fe Public SchoolsSanta Fe Alliance for ScienceMassachusetts Inst. of

TechnologyNew Mexico TechUniversity of New MexicoLos Alamos National

LaboratorySandia National LaboratorySanta Fe Science InitiativeInquiry FacilitatorsEight Northern Indian Pueblos

Council

Redfish Group Santa Fe Public LibraryNM Public Education

DepartmentInternational Society for

Technology in Education (ISTE)

Northern New Mexico Network

NM MESANM Network for Women in

Science and EngineeringComputer Science Teachers

Association

Thank you!