A keynote address given to the educational track of the SuperComputing '07 conference. This was a discussion of some preliminary results of a 3-state study on computational science education.
workforce and academic community. • Graduate Fellowships • Conference/Workshop Planning • Web and Print Publications .... and research projects! (We’re also located in Ames, IA!) Friday, January 11, 13
that focuses on using mathematical, numerical and statistical methods to build models that allow us to understand scientific or engineering problems. Computational Science can also be understand as a ‘third mode’ of science in addition to theory and experiment. Computational Science is also focused on problem solving and problem-based Friday, January 11, 13
to molten plutonium. http://www2.krellinst.org/csgf/deixis/2006/stories/doe_research/llnl/llnl2.shtml Making Impossible Experiments Possible Friday, January 11, 13
through the use of a highly scaffolded computational model. • “Control”: Students taught subject using traditional methods. The Study: - The hypotheses Goal: Measure Differences In Student Performance 24 Schools, 3 States, 2400 Students Friday, January 11, 13
Resources. • Phase Two: Field Test and Modify Simulations Based on Teacher/Student Feedback In Small Test Groups • Phase Three: Conduct Research Study With Full Groups. Friday, January 11, 13
• Step 2: • Treatment: Use Simulations Guided by Driving Questions • Control: Study Subject With Traditional Methods • Step 3: The Post-Test • Step 4: The “Far Transfer” Test Friday, January 11, 13
26% 20% Treatment 35% 28% 25% Our random assignment of Control/Treatment in the smaller population becomes not so random. In the Population Dynamics Data, almost all treatment students come from one school. Friday, January 11, 13
Cognitive research behind “how we use and interpret simulations”. • Cognitive research to explore “highly scaffolded” simulations vs. “project based” simulation activity. • Research on effectiveness of teacher training. Future Directions Friday, January 11, 13