Developing models and using mathematics are two key practices in internationally recognized science education standards such as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS, 2013). In this paper, we used a virtual performance-based formative assessment to capture students' competencies at both "developing" and "evaluating"…

Teaching about wave structure and function is a critical element of any physical science curriculum and supported by "Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)" PS4: Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer. To support students' learning of these ideas, teachers often rely on developing graphic models of a…

The force-frequency relationship has intrigued researchers since its discovery by Bowditch in 1871. Many attempts have been made to construct mathematical descriptions of this phenomenon, beginning with the simple formulation of Koch-Wesser and Blinks in 1963 to the most sophisticated ones of today. This property of cardiac muscle is amplified by…

Contemporary teaching and learning approaches expect students--at any level of education--to be active producers of knowledge. This leads to the need for creation of instructional strategies, learning environments and tasks that can offer students opportunities for active learning. Research argues that one of the most meaningful and engaging forms…

The vision for science education set forth in "A Framework for K-12 Science Education" (NRC 2012) makes it clear that for today's students to become the scientifically literate citizens of tomorrow, their educational experiences must help them become mathematically proficient. "The focus here is on important practices, such as modeling, developing…

A comprehensive understanding of biological functions requires new systemic perspectives, such as those provided by systems biology. Systems biology approaches are hypothesis-driven and involve iterative rounds of model building, prediction, experimentation, model refinement, and development. Developments in computer science are allowing for ever…

Simulations make it possible to explore physical and biological phenomena, where conducting the real experiment is impracticable or difficult. The implementation of a software program describing and simulating a given physical situation encourages the understanding of a phenomenon itself. Fifty-nine students, enrolled at the Mathematical Methods…

The study of the dynamics of physical systems is of importance to all engineering students. LSSP, a Linear System Simulation Program, is used to study the behavior of physical phenomena and systems which may be represented to a good degree of approximation by linear models. Emphasis is placed upon the unity resulting from the mathematical…

Describes a course designed to assist students in writing differential equations to represent chemical processes and to solve these problems on digital computers. Course outline and discussion of computer projects and the simulation and optimization of a continuously stirred tank reactor process are included. (JN)

Describes a simple hydraulic simulator based on more complex models long used by engineers to develop approximate solutions. It allows students to visualize non-steady transfer, to apply a model to solve a problem, and to compare experimentally simulated information with calculated values. (Author/MA)

Defines and discusses the analog computer and its use in a physiology laboratory. Includes two examples: (1) The Respiratory Control Function and (2) CO-Two Control in the Respiratory System. Presents diagrams and mathematical models. (MA)

Describes two types of computer-based experiments: simulation (which assumes no student knowledge of the workings of the computer program) is recommended for experiments aimed at inductive reasoning; and modeling (which assumes student understanding of the computer program) is recommended for deductive processes. (MLH)

There are many educational situations where the student learns by using a model and we are beginning to explore the benefits of using an interactive computer to give a greater understanding of the relationship between the model and the real situation, and also of the real situation. Article gives a broad introduction to applications in the field…

Techniques for digitalizing analog signal data are presented and compared. The techniques presented are: boxcar averaging, ensemble averaging, unweighted digital filter, weighted digital filter, and analog filter. (BB)

A simple teaching model, designed to show rapidly which are the principal factors in population growth and how they are related, is presented. The apparatus described allows students to play several different active roles. (MP)