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Archived Material: CS in Science Module 1 (for StarLogo Nova 1.0)

Archived Material: Module 1 introduces basic concepts in modeling complex systems through hands-on activities and participatory simulations. A scaffolded series of highly-engaging design and build activities guide students through developing their first computer model in StarLogo Nova 1.0, a modeling and simulation environment developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Venn diagram of Boolean logic from Pinterest.com

Human Boolean activity

Human Boolean and George Boole Says are similar off-line group activities in which students learn about Boolean logic. Students come up with a set of characteristics that describe all students in the class then use Boolean operations to uniquely identify classmates. These activities have a corresponding StarLogo TNG model and instruction set.

Photos from Project GUTS recruitment flyer

Fall Introductory Unit for Project GUTS after-school clubs

The Project GUTS after-school clubs were structured to have 10-12 week units in the Fall and Spring Semesters, with a 4-6 weeks Introduction to StarLogo Nova and computer science concepts, followed by a 4-6 week content unit. This is the curriculum page for the Fall Semester Unit introductory weeks. It assumes students are new to Project GUTS and to StarLogo Nova. If you have repeating students, see the Resources Link to Other activities to Introduce Project GUTS for additional ideas.

Screen shot of spirograph image created by StarLogo Nova model

Spring Introductory Unit for Project GUTS after-school clubs

The Project GUTS after-school clubs were structured to have 10-12 week units in the Fall and Spring Semesters, with a 4-5 weeks Introduction to StarLogo Nova and computer science concepts, followed by a 5-6 week content unit. This is the curriculum page for the Spring Semester Unit introductory weeks. It assumes students had participated in the Project GUTS club during the Fall Semester, so might require building some background knowledge and skills for students new to StarLogo Nova.

Screen shot of StarLogo TNG model of Swords & Shields

Swords and Shields

Swords and Shields is an interactive simulation game which teaches students some of the basic ideas of complex adaptive systems. After playing, you can show the students a model of the game in StarLogo TNG or StarLogo Nova to discuss basic concepts of agent-based modeling. Try it, it's fun! See also the variation to this activity in Resources, and see the related activity of TryAngles.

Diagram of looping from Project GUTS Module 1 curriculum

Getting Loopy

This off-line activity reviews the different types of loops in a fun and active way!

What are the chances?

This activity to explore randomness and how to program percent chance in StarLogo Nova.

Screen shot of SLNova code for wiggle walk

Random Walks with code blocks for StarLogo Nova

Modeling the movement of agents (people,molecules, cars or ideas) is an important part of modeling systems. Different agents will have varying amount of randomness in their “walks” which can have an impact on systems. In this activity, students will apply the concept of randomness to a simple StarLogo program in which the agents will use ‘random’ blocks to ‘wiggle’ as they move around SpaceLand. This programming activity follows the ‘What are the Chances?" activity.

Rock Paper Scissors

The classic game of Rock Paper Scissors is known to all students. This common experience can then be used to encourage students to think about Complex Adaptive Systems in terms of unpredictability, which comes from the simple rules of agents. The off-line activity gives students a set of rules that will then be programmed into their computer model using Boolean logic and collisions.

Robot chef image from http://soursaltybittersweet.com

Peanut Butter & Jelly Robot

This activity introduces students to several computer science concepts, to the necessity for thoroughness while programming, and to the often strange results of literalism. The overarching theme is that computers do what they are told and nothing more. The ability to read between the lines and determine what was meant rather than what was said is a skill computers lack. Additionally, students are introduced to the concept of debugging.

Pixelated Paths

An off-line activity similar to Trailblazers, where students are introduced to conditional logic by creating and following maze-like paths. There is an associated coding activity in both StarLogo TNG and StarLogo Nova called "Bumper Turtles."

Image from Project GUTS instructions showing grid

Battleship activity in StarLogo Nova

This activity uses the idea of the classic "battleship" game to review x and y coordinates in StarLogo Nova. Students do a pen and paper simulation of the game, and then use a base model in StarLogo Nova to review the coordinates.

TryAngles

Students participate in an off-line activity called “TryAngles”, and see a computer model based on the same activity. Of particular interest is the interleaving of activity types; live off-line activities and computer simulations, and the juxtaposition of real and virtual worlds.

Three blind mice image from lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com

27 Blind Mice

An off-line activity that introduces the concept of global and local communication strategies.

Penny Growth

Penny growth is a table-top hands-on activity in which students grow penny colonies based on simple rules. Through this activity and a corresponding computer model, students gain experience with modeling population growth, plotting data, and recognizing patterns. Different sized environments can be used to prompt a discussion of limits to growth fo the colonies.

Decoding a model

Decoding a model is an on computer activity in which students are challenged to decode a model.

Geothermal Energy for StarLogo Nova

This unit was developed as a Project GUTS after-school club unit. Students learn about geology topics relating to hot springs with mineral deposits, as well as geothermal energy with hot water being heated underground and rising to the surface. Students decode a base model and add their own enhancements.

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