Thinking with Numbers- Sources and Resources for Stimulating Quantitative Reasoning through Computational Science Education

Author: Robert M. Panoff (President and Executive Director, The Shodor Education Foundation, Durham, N.C.)

Abstract

Computational science continues to advance the accurate description and prediction of the dynamics of complex systems. Moving from the researcher's workbench to the classroom, real-time model solutions and simulations are now possible in most every area of education in sciences and mathematics. These interactive learning environments help us to understand diverse phenomena while opening up new areas of learner-centered, group-oriented, discovery-based learning.

I will explore several examples from recent work in science and mathematics to demonstrate the full impact of numerical modeling and scientific visualization in the classroom. A world-class education requires world-class resources, and all math and science teachers should be able to bring interactive modeling environments to their own teaching practice. We will explore a variety of free and low-cost sources for modeling tools from the Computational Science Education Reference Desk, a pathway project of the National Science Digital Library.