Complex Systems Science Education Lab

Featured CSSEL Pages:

• Data & Network Science in K-20 Education

• Boston University K-20+ STEM Education Collaborative

• Teacher Support Portal (password protected)

• Complex Systems Science Education Workshops 2020

• Virtual Molecular Dynamics Laboratory

• Exploring Patterns in Nature Curriculum Guides

• Boston University GK-12 Programs

• Music of the Heart

Active CSSEL Projects and Initiatives

• Data & Network Science STEAM K-20 Initiative. This series of projects, beginning with NetSci High, focuses on bringing the science of networks into schools.

• Boston University K-20+ STEM Education Collaborative. Initiated in May 2017, the collaborative seeks to explore ways to collectively propel BU's K-12 STEM efforts to new heights, integrate efforts into the broader impacts mission of BU, bridge K-12 outreach and undergraduate and graduate education, and inject momentum into K-12 STEM initiatives so that they can sustain, scale and achieve their full impact.

• Virtual Molecular Dynamics Laboratory. VMDL bridges the gap between the microscopic and macroscopic through research-grade models, curricula and workshops for high school teachers.

• Patterns in Nature. This modeling, curricula and workshop experience helps students view understand the physical world through the lens of fractal modeling and complex systems.

All CSSEL Projects

• Student Teaching and Outreach for the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. Many of our efforts in developing educational programs in neuroscience through CELEST are being applied to the Boston University wide programs in neuroscience. Specifically, efforts are aimed at providing outreach opportunities to Boston University's neuroscience students as well as developing scalable educational programs that can be used in schools.

• CELEST Education developed neuroscience experiments, models, and curriculum and bringing these results into schools. For four consecutive years we hosted 2-week workshops for high school and undergraduate teachers from across the country as well as other summer and academic year programs for high school students, undergraduate students, and teachers. See the CELEST Education Summer Workshop Images from 2007.

• VMDL Workshops for High School Teachers. Our workshop page was initially funded to support teacher workshops using the Virtual Molecular Dynamics Laboratory. This teacher enhancement project hosted 2 week summer workshops and 3-day academic year workshops for 336 high school science and mathematics teachers. We also continue to host a broad range of workshops as part of specific school or district initiatives, and this is reflected on our broader page Complex Systems Science Education Workshops.

• The Virtual Molecular Dynamics Laboratory. This instructional materials development project is based on the WAMNET pilot project. We have produced curriculum materials (software and activities) that bridge the gap between the microscopic and macroscopic.

• GK-12: A Blueprint for Integration of High School & Middle School Science and Mathematics. This project involved 20 graduate and undergraduate science students (as well as a number of faculty) in K-12 public education at several Boston-area schools including Chelsea, Boston, and Cambridge. Hallmarks of the effort include designing a new lab-based biology program in Cambridge, incorporating physical science experiments into Chelsea middle schools, and creation of an AP computer science course in Brookline and Chelsea. This project has since merged with the other BU GK-12 project as a Track II titled Project STAMP. See our Boston University GK-12 Pages.

• The Role of Randomness in Science: An Interdisciplinary Course for Nonscience Majors. This curriculum development project extends our fractals-based high school materials into the undergraduate classroom. The curriculum materials consist of a special Web-based version of our "Patterns in Nature" text.

• Teacher-Researcher Collaboration in Scientific Modeling: The High School Science Virtual Machine Laboratory. This Collaborative Research and Learning Technologies project explored scientific modeling using distributed computing, and made curriculum materials available via the

• The Random Universe: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Investigating Patterns in Nature. This instructional materials development project completed the textbook Patterns in Nature: A New Approach to Interdisciplinary Science which contains software, hands-on activities, and experiments and is available at: Exploring Patterns in Nature.

• Patterns in Nature: A New Approach to Interdisciplinary Science Teaching. Summer workshops during 1994, 1995, and 1996 for 160 high school science teachers using materials developed at the CSSEL. Student activity guides were developed by participating teachers.

• The Dance of Chance: Growing Order Out of Randomness. An interactive multimedia exhibit now on display at the Boston Museum of Science and is available through our online museum exhibit.

• Visual and Interactive Modes for Integrated Learning of Science and Mathematics. This NSF Research on Teaching and Learning project explored areas of impact on the WAMNET and OGAF projects.

• Learning Science Through Guided Discovery: Liquid Water and Molecular Networks (WAMNET). This applications of advanced technology project has developed a number of molecular dynamics simulation programs and activities.

• On Growth and Form: Learning Probability Concepts by "Doing Science" (OGAF) available through Java-powered online similuations.

For more information about these efforts, please contact Paul Trunfio (e-mail).

Image Notes: The first image shows the time contour plots of many random walkers. The second image is a molecular dynamics simulation of liquid water.