Stimulating
Understanding of
Computational science through
Collaboration,
Exploration,
Experiment, and
Discovery for students with
Hearing
Impairments
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a collaboration of the Shodor Education Foundation, Inc., Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, Barton College, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and
Interpreters, Inc.
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For Teachers!
Surface Water Runoff Modeling
Overview:
The amount of runoff under different conditions can be modeled through the use of
an Excel application. It allows for the modification of
such variables as soil type, ground cover type, and amount of rainfall
in order for the user to obtain a greater understanding of the quantity of
water runoff and the effect of different soil and cover types on the water runoff.
The simulation uses the conceptual framework of computational science:
application, algorithm, and architecture. The application refers to
the scientific problem of interest and the components of that problem that we wish to study and/or include. The algorithm refers to the
numerical/mathematical representation of that problem, including any numerical method or recipe used to solve the algorithm. Finally, the
architecture refers to the computing platform and software tool(s) used to compute a solution set for the algorithm.
This lesson addresses these National Science Education Standards:
Human beings live within the world's ecosystems. Increasingly, humans modify ecosystems as a result of population growth, technology, and
consumption. Human destruction of habitats through direct harvesting, pollution, atmospheric changes, and other factors is threatening current global
stability, and if not addressed, ecosystems will be irreversibly affected.
Students need to be familiar with the use of a computer mouse.
Computers with Excel and internet access or CD with this lesson.
You can download a free zipped version of the model used in this lesson.
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by the National Science FoundationOpinions expressed are those of the authorsand not necessarily those of the National Science Foundation. |