Modeling the Growth and Spread of Infectious Diseases to Teach Computational Thinking
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
6-26-2021
Department
Department of Mathematical Sciences; Department of Computer Science
Abstract
Modeling is commonly employed in school settings to help students develop an understanding of biological systems [3]. By inspecting and modifying the inner workings of their models, students become familiar with causal factors and how they impact the properties of the model. We believe that allowing students to tinker with computational models involves developing the same skills used in computational thinking, such as abstraction, decomposition, analysis, automation, and generalization. In this poster, we discuss the design and implementation of a simulation that models the growth and spread of a hypothetical disease. The goal is to help middle school students develop computational thinking skills while learning how a virus spreads through the human population.
Publication Title
Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE
ISBN
9781450383974
Recommended Citation
Pellar-Kosbar, M.,
Gaines, D.,
Monroe, L.,
Rospierski, A.,
Martin, A.,
Vigna, B.,
Stewart, D.,
Perttunen, J.,
Voss, C.,
Pastel, R.,
&
Ureel, L. C.
(2021).
Modeling the Growth and Spread of Infectious Diseases to Teach Computational Thinking.
Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE, 658.
http://doi.org/10.1145/3456565.3460066
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/15116