Collaborative Research: Scaffolding Computational Thinking Through Multilevel System Modeling

The focus of this project was how students develop their modeling practice and engage in computational thinking over time and through multiple contexts of increasing complexity. It also considered what kinds of professional supports are needed for teachers to be successful in facilitating student exploration of phenomena through engagement in systems modeling. 

This project was supported by the STEM+C program and advanced its mission by building on the work of a previous project that developed a system modeling tool, SageModeler, for use by middle and high school students. This project 1) Extended the capabilities of the modeling tool to scaffold construction of system dynamics models; (2) Developed curricular materials that support students in creating, testing, revising, and sharing dynamic models of natural systems; (3) Researched the progression of student modeling practices and computational thinking across curricular contexts; and (4) Studied instructional challenges teacher encounter when adopting a model-based approach to teaching topics in physics, chemistry, biology, Earth science, and environmental science at the high school level.