Modeling Across the Curriculum Project (MAC) at Northwestern

Short description

In the Modeling Across the Curriculum project, we enable students’ exploration of computer models that are embedded in a supporting script. The Connected Chemistry learning environment is one such model-based curricular unit.  Connected Chemistry employs multi-agent NetLogo models to empower the students’ manipulation and observation of chemical “entities” at the molecular level as well as the resulting aggregate patterns. These models are embedded in Pedagogica scripts that guide the model exploration as well as asking students questions about their exploration and findings.

The first set of activities in the Connected Chemistry curriculum is on the topic of gases: Gas laws, and Kinetic Molecular Theory (KMT).  Kinetic Molecular Theory describes the behavior of individual particles (e.g., particles move in straight lines, they elastically collide with each other and with the walls).  Gas laws describe the relationships among properties of the system of particles as a whole, when it is in equilibrium (e.g., Boyle’s Law: the relationship between the volume of a box and the pressure inside, when temperature and the number of particles are constant). In addition to the traditional chemistry content, our curriculum also targets several important chemistry-related ideas:

• Modeling: how a model is constructed, its assumptions, affordances and limitations, its relation with the target real-world phenomenon
• Thinking from the molecule up by focusing on micro-to-macro descriptions, transitions and connections
• Focus on processes of change in the system, such as perturbation and equilibration
• Mathematical modeling, deriving equations from data obtained through the students’ NetLogo model explorations
• Experimental design

More generally, the chemistry topics are set within a wider perspective of complex systems.  The domain of “complex systems” has evolved rapidly in the past 15 years, developing novel ideas and tools, and new ways of comprehending old phenomena, such as weather systems.  Complex systems are made up of many elements (often named “agents”, in our case, molecules), which interact among themselves and with their environment.  The interactions of numerous elements result in a higher-order or collective behavior.  Although such systems are not regulated through central control, they self-organize in coherent global patterns.  These patterns are often counter-intuitive and surprising.

The Modeling Across the Curriculum project is a 5-year long research and development effort aimed at:

• developing secondary science curriculum units that use computer-based modeling tools
• fostering the use of these tools to conduct model-based inquiry
• implementing the units within a number of secondary school classrooms in a variety of content domains
• researching students' learning, motivation and teacher/classroom centered issues in classrooms using model-based inquiry 

The project results form a collaboration among three partners The central project site is the Concord Consortium, while the other sites include the Northwestern Center for Computer-Based Modeling and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This partnership includes a number of secondary schools including Clemente High school and Park View school  in Illinois, together with the Fitchburg Public Schools, the Lowell Public Schools at Massachusetts, and other schools that particpate in the project.

Accessing the Instructional Units

The CCL development team has created a number of chemistry units using design principles and research findings gathered from this project. These units include a mix of wet labs, homeworks, student readers, in class activities, and computer based models.  The first of these units covers the topic of gas laws.  The second of these units covers the topic of chemical reactions. For more information about these units see the Connected Chemistry project

Levy, S.T., Kim, H. & Wilensky, U. (2004). Connected Chemistry - A study of secondary students using agent-based models to learn Chemistry.  In J. Gobert (Chair) and N. H. Sabelli (Discussant) Modeling Across the Curriculum (MAC): Technology, Pedagogy, Assessment, & Research. The annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association.


Contact Information

For questions about the project contact:

• Principal Investigator - Uri Wilensky
• Reseach - Sharona T. Levy  (stlevy@construct.haifa.ac.il)
• Instructional Materials Design - Michael Novak (mnovak@ccl.northwestern.edu) and Sharona T. Levy (stlevy@construct.haifa.ac.il)