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ModelBEST Module 6 - Air Pollution

The 6th module from Model BEST. Intended for 5th grade.

COVID-19 Modelling Challenge

Learn basic StarLogo Nova skills then use those skills to customize your model to reflect how Coronavirus spreads. To that model, you can add different strategies and study the impact of the strategies on containing COVID-19’s spread.

Module 2 Lesson 5 - Experiment with Your New Water Pumping Model

In this lesson, students will finish including their chosen modifications and debugging their Water Pump Model. In the second activity, students will use their new model as an experimental test bed. They will modify the question they came up with in Lesson 4 and run experiments to address this question, using repeated trials at each variable setting. Students will critically analyze their results, as well as their model, and relate it back to the bigger picture – Water as a Shared Resource.

Module 3 Lesson 1 - Ecosystems as Complex Adaptive systems

In this lesson, students will be introduced to ecosystems concepts through an activity called "Papercatchers", a participatory simulation in which students play the part of agents in a simulation. After playing the “game” that illustrates population dynamics and carrying capacity, students will view a computer model of a simple ecosystem. Through the model, students will review concepts of population growth, producers and consumers, and the movement of energy through an ecosystem.

Module 3 Lesson 2 - Rabbits and Grass Model

In this lesson, students will participate in two activities that USE the Rabbits and Grass model. The first activity is a look under the hood at the model to understand what was included and left out of the model (abstraction). In
the second activity, students will learn to design and conduct systematic experiments using the model as an experimental test bed. They will instrument their model to collect data, then analyze data and report out on
their findings.

Module 3 Lesson 3 - Adding a Predator

In this lesson, students will modify the Rabbits and Grass model by adding a predator, a Mountain Lion, to answer a new question: “Does adding a top predator increase or decrease the stability of an ecosystem?” In the second activity, students will design and run experiments to see if adding a predator has an impact on the ecosystem. This activity will reinforce the concepts of energy flow through ecosystems and the often unexpected results of interactions in complex adaptive systems.

Module 3 Lesson 4 - Create Your Own Ecosystem Model

In this lesson, students will design their own ecosystems projects consisting of a question, experimental design and model. In the first activity, students will learn about the computational science cycle and use it to scope their project. This leads to a second activity where they start designing and implementing their model.

Module 3 Lesson 5 - Designing and Running an Experiment and Sharing Your Findings

In this lesson, students will complete their ecosystems models and then design and run experiments using their models as experimental test beds. As an extension, students can prepare a presentation on their model, experimental design and findings.

Locating the Epicenter of an Earthquake Lesson

Identify the location of an earthquake epicenter using a travel time graph and three seismograph tracings. The epicenter is the point on Earth's surface directly above an earthquake. Seismic stations detect earthquakes by the tracings made on seismographs. Tracings made at three separate seismic stations are needed to locate an earthquake epicenter.

CSTA-Compiled Resources to Support Teaching During COVID-19

Compiled a list of resources to help CS teachers support their students remotely.

ModelBEST Module 5 - Water Pollution

The 5th module from Model BEST. Intended for 5th grade.

Teacher Guide for Hosting Synchronous Online Learning Sessions

A guide of practical tips and procedures for running effective live online learning sessions (aka Synchronous Online Learning).

ModelBEST Module 1 - Introduction to Modeling and Simulation

The 1st module from Model BEST. Intended for 4th and 5th grade.

Trailblazers Activity for Virtual Instruction

The Trailblazers activity from Module 1 - Lesson 3 modified to be done in a synchronous virtual learning environment.

Dice and Data Activity for Virtual Instruction

Dice and Data Activity from Module 1 Lesson 4. Adapted for use in a synchronous instructional setting.

Experimental Design for Virtual Instruction

A Google Sheet to use for conducting the Experimental Design activity in a remote learning classroom.c

ModelBEST Module 2 - Catching Butterflies

The 2nd module from Model BEST. Intended for 4th and 5th grade.

ModelBEST Module 3 - Predator/Prey – Survival Behaviors

The 3rd module from Model BEST. Intended for 4th and 5th grade.

ModelBEST Module 4 - Simple Garden Ecosystem

The 1st module from Model BEST. Intended for 5th grade.

Module 2 Lesson 4 - Customize Your Water Pumping Model

In this lesson, students design their own Water Pumping projects consisting of a question, experimental design and model. In the first activity, students will learn about computational science and how to design a model, and will use this knowledge to scope their project. This leads to a second activity, in which they start designing and implementing their model, using the Water Pumping base model as a starting place.

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