NSF-BSF: Learning the concept of Dynamic Equilibrium across disciplines with SystEms Augmented Mechanistic Representations

NSF-BSF：通过 SystEms 增强机械表示学习跨学科动态平衡的概念

• 批准号: 2240216
• 负责人: Uri Wilensky
• 金额: $ 87.56万
• 依托单位: Northwestern University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-08-15 至 2026-07-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2240216&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NSF; BSF; Learning; concept; Dynamic

Learning the concept of Dynamic Equilibrium across disciplines with SystEms Augmented Mechanistic Representations A fascinating aspect of systems in science is dynamic equilibrium (DE). DE describes situations, in which changes continually happen, but they balance each other out. Examples include our body maintaining a constant temperature while the surroundings can be hot or cold, or an ecosystem maintaining cyclical population levels even as predators and prey die and reproduce. Understanding how such dynamical systems remain stable is fundamental to understanding order and pattern in the world. Thus, it is crucial that students of science come to understand this concept, helping them develop science proficiency. Despite the importance of the concept of DE, it is hard for many people to understand. The contrast between stability and change is confusing so people tend to think of the system as static. The PI’s work has shown that by introducing visual models and simulations, students get a deeper understanding and are more engaged when learning science. Yet, there still remains a problem with connecting the phenomenon to the way the elements interact. The project addresses this problem by conducting a series of studies and software design iterations. The project develops a range of possible computer-based representations, which can support a more coherent understanding of DE. These candidate representations are tested, and a winner chosen. The winner becomes a new tool added to the models and simulations. These augmented simulations are then be used to create science units. The team works with science teachers to build learning units on DE phenomena. A cross-cultural comparison will explore how the winning representation is differently learned in US and Israeli schools. The proposal has two main objectives: (1) construct a theoretically and cognitively viable framework for learning DE that balances mechanism and causality with robustness and generality, and (2) develop an augmented representation that overlays systemic features upon mechanistic processes, what the investigators call SEAM (SystEms Augmented Mechanistic) representations. Creating the DE framework involves four studies: (1) analysis of science education standards related to DE; (2) analysis of the research literature on students’ ideas regarding DE; (3) investigating scientists’ explicit and implicit communication regarding DE; (4) research into students’ intuitions regarding DE. Developing the SEAM representation involves 3 studies: (5) design of three candidates with experienced science teachers; (6) learning research with the three representations, culminating in a cross-cultural comparison of students’ learning in the US and in Israel; (7) deliberative selection of the final SEAM representation.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

使用Systems增强的机械表示学习跨学科的动态平衡概念科学中系统的一个迷人方面是动态平衡（DE）。DE描述的是不断发生变化的情况，但它们相互平衡。例子包括我们的身体保持恒定的温度，而周围环境可以是热的或冷的，或生态系统保持周期性的人口水平，即使捕食者和猎物死亡和繁殖。理解这样的动力系统如何保持稳定是理解世界秩序和模式的基础。 因此，至关重要的是，科学的学生来理解这个概念，帮助他们发展科学能力。尽管DE的概念很重要，但许多人很难理解。稳定和变化之间的对比令人困惑，所以人们倾向于认为系统是静态的。PI的工作表明，通过引入可视化模型和模拟，学生在学习科学时获得了更深入的理解，并更加投入。然而，将这一现象与元素相互作用的方式联系起来仍然存在问题。该项目通过进行一系列研究和软件设计迭代来解决这个问题。该项目开发了一系列可能的基于计算机的表示，这可以支持DE的更连贯的理解。对这些候选表示进行测试，并选出赢家。赢家将成为添加到模型和模拟中的新工具。这些增强的模拟然后被用来创建科学单位。该团队与科学教师合作，建立DE现象的学习单元。一个跨文化的比较将探讨如何获胜的代表是不同的学习在美国和以色列的学校。该提案有两个主要目标：（1）构建一个理论上和认知上可行的学习DE的框架，平衡机制和因果关系与鲁棒性和通用性，（2）开发一种增强表示，将系统特征覆盖在机械过程上，研究人员称之为SEAM（SystemsAugmentedMechanistic）表示。本研究主要包括以下四个方面的研究：（1）科学教育标准的分析;（2）学生科学教育观念的研究文献分析;（3）科学家关于科学教育的显性和隐性交流的调查;（4）学生关于科学教育的直觉的研究。 发展SEAM表征涉及三个研究：（5）设计三个候选人与经验丰富的科学教师;（6）学习研究与三个表征，最终在美国和以色列的学生学习的跨文化比较;（七）该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的学术价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。