Date: Fri, 18 May 2001

To: k-12sd@sysdyn.mit.edu

From: Vanessa Colella <vanessa@media.mit.edu>

Subject: StarLogo Workshop Announcement

Hello. 

We will be holding a StarLogo workshop this summer at the Santa Fe Institute. The purpose of the workshop is to help educators learn about modeling complex, dynamic systems through a combination of on and off-computer activities. Information on the workshop is contained below.

Please direct your requests for information to Vanessa Colella (vanessa@media.mit.edu).

Thanks,

The Adventures Team

----------------

Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM

Have you ever wondered how birds flock or traffic jams form? For thousands of years people--from DaVinci to Einstein--have created models to help them better understand patterns and processes in the world around them. Computers make it easier for novices to build and explore their own models--and learn new scientific ideas in the process. The Adventures in Modeling Workshop, co-sponsored by MIT Media Lab and the Santa Fe Institute, introduces teacher educators to the fundamentals of modeling complex, dynamic systems using StarLogo. After attending this workshop participants will be able to offer similar modeling workshops and courses at their own institutions.

The workshop for teachers, teacher educators, and education graduate students will address the following issues:

* How to teach a variety of learners to design, build and analyze models of complex, dynamic systems.

* How to combine on- and off-computer activities to help people learn about scientific processes.

* How to meaningfully integrate technology into science and math curricula.

* How to include advances in research practices in classrooms.

* How to leverage teachersí work with models to impact the rest of their teaching.

* How to structure activities so that teachers see themselves as learners.

No programming experience is required for this workshop--just a willingness to learn.

This program is open to teachers, education graduate students, and teacher educators of all types, including technology, math, and science coordinators, museum staff, professors of education, and professional developers.

To be held at the Santa Fe Institute

Santa Fe, New Mexico

June 18-29, 2001

Admission is by competitive application.

$250 Registration Fee, $500 Housing Fee

Financial aid available by application.

For more information contact:

Vanessa Colella

vanessa@media.mit.edu

(415) 821-7067

Also see last year's summer workshop web pages at:

End of May, 2001