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

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