California State University STEM Conference

CAL POLY- SAN LUIS OBISPOMarch 14, 2014

Nancy StauchVic Castillo, Ph.D.

Engineering and Undergraduate Preparation of Future Teachers – Cal Poly SLO

PSC 101 – parachutes PSC 102 – pavers

Enhancing Learning with Computer Models Learn By Doing Lab -- squishy circuits PSC 103 - erosion

Who we are Nancy Stauch

Teacher in residence – 10 years Single subject placement coordinator Science education advisor

Vic Castillo, Ph.D. Group leader, Lawrence Livermore Lab Computational science – 25 years 1-year sabbatical at CSU-SLO & UC Merced

NGSS Buddies~a Cal Poly Collaboration

Chemistry, Engineering, Liberal Studies, Physics

Medical Mission Drop!

Parachute Research

Plan, Design, Launch!

Paver: Finished Product

Paver Density Testing

Paver Impact Testing

Comparisons and Constraints

Results and Recommendations

Enhancing Learning with Computer Models CSU-SLO / LLNL collaboration

1-year sabbatical at CSU-SLO

Goals: Increase computer simulation in curriculum Expand on success of LLNL Teacher Research

Academy

Why Computer Modeling? Computers are getting faster and

cheaper It is an important tool for science You can’t always do the experiment

LLNL is the world leader in computational modeling and simulation

Modeling Tool: NetLogo Free & Open Source Runs on most computers Lots of examples Easy to use

http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/

Learn By Doing Lab –Squishy Circuits

DISCERE FACIENDO: -> To learn by Doing

DISCERE FERMENTI: -> To Learn by Doughing(Squishy Circuits)

LBDL: Squishy Circuits

Using Physical Model

LBDL: Squishy Circuits

Using Computational Model

PSC 103: Erosion

Next Steps Improved design

Physics/chemistry Design of Experiments

Pre-service teachers developing computer simulations

PD for in-service teachers Extend to other CSU’s

Keep in Touch Vic Castillo

vcastillo@llnl.gov @STEMdev

Nancy Stauch nstauch@calpoly.edu

http://www.cesame.calpoly.edu/