Find Resources

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.

Coding Challenges

Coding Challenge are a series of short challenges that focus on improving coding skills using StarLogo Nova. Each set of challenges focuses on a specific concept: degrees & heading, x & y coordinates and randomness, conditions including absolute value and percent chance, adding color to the terrain and repeat loops, using the z coordinate, and other computer science concepts (logic blocks, data collection),.

CS in Science Module 5: Greenhouse Gases slide presentation

This slide presentation can be used for CS in Science Module 5: Greenhouse Gases. Teachers can download and modify this presentation for classroom use. Also note that this presentation was specifically developed for use in a module exploring climate change and water, but the first several slides include good general information.

The Greenhouse Effect

A short video on the basics of the greenhouse effect, used in CS in Science, Module 2 (Greenhouse gas model).

Beaker with silver nitrate solution and copper pipe

Silver Nitrate Production video

A short video showing "Silver Production from Silver Nitrate using a Copper Pipe" - used if wet lab activity not available for CS in Science Module 4 (Chemical Reactions)

StarLogo Nova 2.0 galleries for CS in Science modules

These links create a shortcut to find the StarLogo Nova 2.0 gallery for each module in CS in Science. For StarLogo Nova 1.0 galleries, go to flash.starlogonova.org.

Introduction to Climate Modeling

This document gives background information for students to use with CS in Science Module 5 (Greenhouse Gas).

Code blocks for basic setup in StarLogo Nova

CS in Science: Module 1 Additional Resources

Ready to implement? Here are some additional resources and links to other Teachers with GUTS pages to help you with CS in Science, Module 1 (Introduction to Computer Modeling and Simulation). Some of the resources refer specifically to StarLogo Nova 1.0 (teacher videos) and others to StarLogo Nova 2.0 (link to models gallery). Check the relevant page for CS in Science Module 1 for the version of StarLogo Nova you are using.

Debugging Challenges for StarLogo Nova

These challenges ask students to identify and correct common coding errors within StarLogo Nova programs. The first challenge is generic, all others relate to the content area module from CS in Science. Students like to solve the problems and fix the code, and learn about debugging skills while engaging further with content area modules. It is also a good review for instructions/facilitators before building code with students.

Walk & Turn for StarLogo Nova

This is the CS in Science, Module 1, Activity 1 activity. Students participate in an activity acting as agents, then view a computer model, to introduce concepts of computer science and complex adaptive systems.

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.

Progress Monitors for CS in Science Modules (coding activities)

Progress Monitors are meant to be guides for students, giving goals for the model but not providing specific coding instructions.

Pair Programming video

This short video (2:51 minutes) features two middle school girls describing and practicing pair programming. It is a great introduction to this method of learning programming and creating models.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology video - image of birds flocking

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling Video

This short video (3:13 minutes) introduces complex adaptive systems and agent-based modeling concepts to middle-school students. It shows beautiful footage of birds flocking as an example of a complex adaptive system.

Sample rubric for ecosystem module

This rubric was previously posted on the Code.org site and many teachers have found it to be helpful. You can save a copy and modify as fits your curriculum.

Code Blocks for CS in Science Module 4 (Chemical Reactions)

Use this document while decoding the base model in CS in Science, Module 4: Chemical Reactions.
Select the relevant link below, depending on whether you are using StarLogo Nova 1.0 (flash version) or StarLogo Nova 2.0(HTML5/JavaScript version).

Facilitator Resources (from 2019)

This is a set of resources to help Facilitators prepare for Workshops.

Skill Building Deck

A slide deck of exercises to build CS and decoding skills

Piedra, papel o tijera

El clásico juego en versión StarLogo NOVA

CS in Science Module 2: Water Resources slide presentation

These slide presentations are for CS in Science Module 2: Water Resources. Please be sure to use the relevant link below, for either StarLogo Nova 1.0 (flash version) or StarLogo Nova 2.0. Also, note there is a different presentation for CS in Science Module 2: Climate Change. Teachers can download and modify these slides for classroom use.

Search for "[keyword]" across the whole site.