This 15-hour intensive session introduces rising 6th- through 9th-graders to the role of computational and communications technology in modern science. Participants use several modeling tools (with an emphasis on the modeling software program STELLA) to investigate authentic scientific problems. Following an introduction to computational science, students learn how to create computational solutions to problems such as population dynamics, predator-prey relationships, and the spread of diseases. Following this introduction, participants then collaborate with other students to create and use a computational solution to one or more problems from a large collection of case studies. Independent work is done with the support and guidance of Shodor Foundation scientists and interns. Scientific expertise among Foundation staff includes physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, the environmental sciences, and biomedical studies.

  The workshop involves formal lectures, structured hands-on labs and activities, visits by practicing computational scientists, and the opportunity to work collaboratively with other students on a small research project. Careful observations and reporting of those observations is emphasized at all times.