Hello and welcome! My name is Irene Lee, and I lead the Learning Lab at the Santa Fe Institute. For the past seven years, we’ve been working on an exciting program called Project GUTS, which stands for Growing Up Thinking Scientifically. This program is designed for middle school students and focuses on using computer modeling and simulation to explore complex systems. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Code.org to bring this curriculum to students like you.
Computer modeling is a fantastic way to learn science because it goes beyond just reading from a textbook. Imagine you live in a town facing a water shortage. It’s easy to think that turning off the tap while brushing your teeth doesn’t make a big difference. But with computer modeling, you can simulate the entire town’s water usage and see how small actions add up. This helps you understand how your actions fit into the bigger picture.
With computer models, you can dive deep into any problem. While traditional lab experiments might only cover a small part of a topic, models let you explore much more. You can start with some basic information and then expand your knowledge by sharing with friends, asking questions, and doing your own research online. It’s a great way to learn independently, with your teacher there to support you.
One of the best things about this program is that it shows you how to use computers for more than just playing games. It gives you the power to take control of your learning with technology. Our curriculum matches the Next Generation Science Standards, which means it fits right into your science classes without needing extra time. We can replace some earth, life, and physical science units with our modules.
We’ve developed our curriculum by working closely with teachers and students to make sure it’s easy to use, scientifically accurate, and relevant to different communities. Our lessons are based on years of research funded by the National Science Foundation.
Our goal is to help you understand important science concepts and get comfortable with computer science. We want you to feel excited and ready to take on more advanced computer science classes in high school. We hope this program will be a fun and valuable learning experience for you.
Over the years, we’ve seen many students discover the thrill of acting like young scientists. By using modeling and simulation, you can better understand the world around you. We also want to thank the teachers for embracing this new opportunity and helping students learn modern scientific practices. Have fun, and we’re glad you’re part of our program!
Imagine your town is facing a water shortage. Use a computer modeling tool to simulate the water usage of your town. Adjust different variables, such as the number of people turning off the tap while brushing their teeth, and observe how these small actions can lead to significant changes in water conservation. Share your findings with the class and discuss how individual actions contribute to the bigger picture.
Choose a local ecosystem, such as a forest or a pond, and create a computer model to simulate its dynamics. Include factors like food chains, weather conditions, and human impact. Work in groups to research and input data into your model, then present how changes in one part of the ecosystem can affect the entire system.
Select a scientific phenomenon, such as the water cycle or photosynthesis, and use computer modeling to explore it in depth. Create a simulation that demonstrates the process and its components. Share your model with classmates and explain how this tool helps you understand the phenomenon better than traditional methods.
Think of a science topic you find interesting and design a simple educational game using computer modeling software. The game should teach players about the topic while they play. Test your game with classmates and gather feedback to improve it. Discuss how using games can enhance learning in science.
Work on a project that uses computer modeling to solve a real-world problem or answer a scientific question. Prepare a presentation that includes your model, findings, and the implications of your research. Present your project in a virtual science fair, and engage with peers and teachers to discuss your work and gather insights.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Hello and welcome! My name is Irene Lee, and I am the director of the Santa Fe Institute’s Learning Lab. Over the past seven years, we have developed and refined Project GUTS (Growing Up Thinking Scientifically). Project GUTS is a middle school program that engages students in modeling and simulation of complex adaptive systems. We are thrilled to be partnering with Code.org to offer this curriculum for middle school students.
Computer modeling is a fantastic tool to introduce into middle schools, particularly in science, because it really takes the student out of the textbook. For example, if you live in a town that has issues with water availability, like experiencing a drought, it’s one thing to tell a student to turn off the faucet while brushing their teeth. They might think that their individual actions have little impact. However, if they model all of the water resources available in their town, they can see the effect of not just one person performing a certain action, but the entire town doing so. This helps them better understand their role in the system.
You can explore any problem thoroughly with a model, whereas a laboratory experiment typically only allows for a small portion of that exploration. I can provide students with a bit of information and then watch them grow and expand on that knowledge. They are able to share more with their peers, ask more questions, and conduct their own research online, finding answers without needing to come to the teacher for every little thing. I am there for support, but I feel like I am learning alongside them.
What I appreciate most is that it teaches students to use computers beyond just playing video games. It empowers them to own their learning experience with technology. Our curriculum aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards, which are based on a framework for K-12 science education developed by the National Research Council. This allows us to replace select earth, life, and physical science units without requiring additional class time.
As we developed our curriculum, we worked closely with current middle school teachers and students. It is important to us that our work is teacher- and student-friendly, scientifically rigorous, and relevant in diverse communities. Our modules and lessons also leverage years of our own National Science Foundation-funded educational research.
Our goal is not only to deepen students’ understanding of fundamental science concepts and practices but also to increase their skills and comfort levels in computer science. We want them to feel excited and ready to pursue formal year-long computer science classes when they enter high school. We hope this will be a great learning experience for your students.
Over the years, we have seen many students experience the excitement of discovery as they act as young scientists, harnessing the power of modeling and simulation to better understand their world. Most of all, we want to thank you, the teachers, for taking on this new opportunity and committing to develop your own understanding of modern scientific practice. Have fun! We are glad you are part of our program.
Project – A planned piece of work or activity that is designed to achieve a particular aim, often involving research or design. – The students worked on a science project to create a model of the solar system.
Guts – The essential parts or inner workings of a machine or system. – The technician explained the guts of the computer to the students, showing them the motherboard and CPU.
Computer – An electronic device that processes data and performs tasks according to a set of instructions called a program. – In computer class, we learned how to write simple programs to solve math problems.
Modeling – The process of creating a representation of a system or object to study its behavior and properties. – In science class, we used computer modeling to predict the effects of climate change on polar ice caps.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Science helps us understand how the universe works, from the smallest atoms to the largest galaxies.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – The interactive simulation made learning about the human body both fun and educational.
Students – Individuals who are studying at a school or other educational institution. – The students conducted an experiment to test the effects of different fertilizers on plant growth.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have made it possible for scientists to explore the deepest parts of the ocean.
Curriculum – The subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college. – The science curriculum includes topics such as biology, chemistry, and physics.
Simulation – A method for implementing a model over time to study the behavior of a system. – The flight simulation allowed students to experience what it’s like to pilot an airplane without leaving the classroom.
