CAREER: Authentic Modeling and Simulation Practices for Enhancing Model-Based Reasoning in Engineering Education

在工程设计和创新中产生成功结果的一个重要组成部分是个人的分析问题解决能力。通过建模和模拟过程可以大大增强这一点。然而，将建模和模拟技能融入本科学科课程的教育策略，并没有跟上让本科工程学学生掌握解决现有或新应用领域问题所需的计算技能的步伐。这一职业项目旨在了解和加强本科工程教育中的建模和模拟实践。具体地说，这个项目将确定和验证学生在掌握工作场所工程准备所需的建模和模拟技能的过程中可能遵循的途径。结果还将包括有助于或阻碍使用建模和模拟进行有效教学的因素。作为努力的一部分，该项目将探索以下研究问题：(1)学生如何在建模和模拟练习中体验基于模型的推理？(2)学生如何在建模和模拟练习中体验问题解决？(3)学生观察到的模式如何？在解决问题时，使用计算工具支持或阻碍学生基于模型的推理(源自Q1和Q2)？4)从学生的表现和理解可以看出，工程中建模和仿真实践的不同轨迹和复杂程度是什么？这个项目更广泛的意义和重要性在于它可以增加工程发现和创新成功的机会，帮助国家更快、更好、更自信地利用建模和仿真的作用。该项目让工程学教师、本科生和研究生参与以课堂设计为基础的研究，并通过社区大学K-12教师和讲师的专业发展提供外展和传播。该项目与NSF的战略目标重叠，即通过培养一支具有新能力和专业知识的工程队伍来改造边境。此外，NSF为社会创新的目标是通过支持创新学习理论和系统的发展而实现的。

An important component for producing successful outcomes in engineering design and innovation is individuals' analytical problem solving abilities. These can be greatly enhanced by means of modeling and simulation processes. Yet, educational strategies for incorporating modeling and simulation skills into undergraduate disciplinary courses have not kept pace with equipping undergraduate engineering students with computational skills needed to solve problems in existing or new application fields. This CAREER project seeks to understand and enhance modeling and simulation practices in undergraduate engineering education. Specifically, this project will identify and validate pathways that students may follow as they progress toward mastery of modeling and simulation skills now needed for workplace engineering readiness. Outcomes will also include factors that contribute to, or prevent, effective teaching and learning with modeling and simulation. As part of the effort, the project will explore the following research questions: (1) How do students experience model-based reasoning in the context of modeling and simulation practices? (2) How do students experience problem solving in the context of modeling and simulation practices? (3) How the observed patterns of students? use of computational tools support or hinder student model-based reasoning when problem solving (derived from Q1 & Q2)?4) What are different trajectories and levels of sophistication of modeling and simulation practices in engineering as evidenced by student performances and understandings?The broader significance and importance of this project is in the way it can increase the chances for engineering discovery and innovation success, helping the nation take advantage of the role of modeling and simulation sooner, better, and with greater confidence. The project engages engineering faculty, undergraduate and graduate students in classroom design-based research and also provides outreach and dissemination through professional development of K-12 teachers and instructors at community colleges. The project overlaps with NSF's strategic goals of transforming the frontiers through preparation of an engineering workforce with new capabilities and expertise. Additionally, NSF's goal of innovating for society is enabled by supporting the development of innovative learning theories and systems.