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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.

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.

Project Design Form

A printable copy of the Project Design Form, used in Project GUTS CS in Science Modules.

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Model Design Form

Here are pdf, docx, and google docs links to the Model Design Form, used in Project GUTS CS in Science Modules.

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Experimental Design Form

A printable copy of the experimental design form, used in Project GUTS CS in Science Modules, for students to plan an experiment, including identifying variables, planning data collection and analysis, and interpretation.

Introduction to Climate Modeling

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

Model Observation Form

This form is used to capture a learner's thinking while observing a model.

Diagram of x and y coordinates in StarLogo Nova

Math Basics for StarLogo Nova

This handout explains left and right degrees, x and y coordinates, and headings in StarLogo Nova.

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Cookbook for Common Codes for StarLogo Nova 1.0 and StarLogo Nova 2.0

The links below include explanations and screen shots for common codes in both versions of StarLogo Nova, including setting up the world, creating and renaming breeds, using default traits and creating custom traits, random and wiggle walks, coordinates and using 3-D view, using keyboard controls, using widgets including sliders, data boxes, charts and line graphs, terrain color, using collisions, creating a stop code, and teaching agents to chase or run away from other agents.

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).

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.

Application of the Occupational Analysis of Computational Thinking-Enabled STEM Professionals as a Program Assessment Tool (2012)

Journal of Computational Science Education (2012)

Find Resources

Module 3 Lesson 4 - Create Your Own Ecosystem Model

Progress Monitors for CS in Science Modules (coding activities)

Project Design Form

Model Design Form

Experimental Design Form

Introduction to Climate Modeling

Model Observation Form

Math Basics for StarLogo Nova

Cookbook for Common Codes for StarLogo Nova 1.0 and StarLogo Nova 2.0

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

Module 3 Lesson 3 - Adding a Predator

Skill Building Deck

Computational Thinking for Youth in Action (2011)

Assessing Youth's Computational Thinking (2011)

Application of the Occupational Analysis of Computational Thinking-Enabled STEM Professionals as a Program Assessment Tool (2012)

Integrating Computational Thinking Across the K-8 Curriculum (2014)

Reclaiming the roots of CT (2016)

Developing a framework for computational thinking from a disciplinary perspective (2018)

Making Sense of Models one page description

Scientific Practices Form