What's the secret to success in mathematics or science? Developing your skills as a good observer! On six Saturdays during the fall we will look at a variety of areas in different science and mathematics, combining hands-on activities with computer explorations, while discovering the role of computers and communications technologies in modern science. Following an introduction to computational science, students will learn how to create computational solutions to problems such as population dynamics, predator-prey relationships, and the spread of diseases. This could be a great start on a science fair project that uses computer explorations. The Saturday Explorations workshops are intended for students in grades 6 through 8(or the home school equivalent). Younger students who are particularly mature and older students who are interested may also be considered.
Once again we have an exciting new partnership with North Carolina Central University. The Fall Saturday Explorations students will be invited to participate in CybAdventures. CybAdventures is a morning of hands-on experiments and computational activities that are both entertaining and informative. Students will be introduced to web-based activities to assist them in learning about CyberInfrastructure and how to apply computational resources to their learning process.
Session size is limited to 18 participants in order to assure a high quality learning atmosphere. Participants work both in teams and individually in a supervised, hands-on learning environment. Each day they learn about new scientific approaches and tools and then have the opportunity to try them out for themselves in our computer lab.
All activities take place at the Shodor headquarters in downtown Durham, North Carolina and at the NCCU campus. Participants will be using high-performance laptops equipped with computational software which the students will learn how to use throughout their classes.
Participants should be 6th - 8th graders (or the equivalent) and interested in science and mathematics. Younger students who are particularly mature and older students who interested may also be considered. While some experience with computers is helpful, it is not required.