Introducing STEPP: A Resource for Physics Classrooms Utilizing Computational Thinking

STEPP

Introducing STEPP: A New Resource for Physics Classrooms Utilizing Computational Thinking T

Summer 2021 AAPT Meeting

Mary Urquhart, Midori Kitagawa, Michael Kesden, Paul Fishwick, Rosanna Guadagno, Ken Suura and the STEPP Team

University of Texas at Dallas

PI: Dr. Midori Kitagawa, ATEC/SME Co-PI: Dr. Paul Fishwick, ATEC/CS Co-PI: Dr. Michael Kesden, Physics Co-PI: Dr. Mary Urquhart, SME/Physics Dr. Rosanna Guadagno (Psychologist)

STEPP

Project Manager: Ken Suura, MS & MAT Former Project Manager: Cenk Koknar, Ph.D. Physics & CS Teacher Researchers Rachel Hagedorn, MAT Wes Baker, MAT Henry Vo James Stanfield, MAT A large team of current and former students, field test teachers, and UTD field test faculty

Science/ Mathematics Education

The research in this presentation is supported by the National Science Foundation STEM+C award 1741756.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations in this material are the findings of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the National Science Foundation.

STEM + Computing K–12 Education

Infuse physics lessons with computational thinking through a

Scaffolded Training Environment for Physics Programming

STEPP

Introductory Physics

Computational Thinking

STEM + Computing K–12 Education

Infuse physics lessons with computational thinking through a

Scaffolded Training Environment for Physics Programming

STEPP

Modeling

Introductory Physics

Computational Thinking

STEM + Computing K–12 Education

Infuse physics lessons with computational thinking through a

Scaffolded Training Environment for Physics Programming

STEPP

Modeling Algorithmic Thinking

Introductory Physics

Computational Thinking

STEM + Computing K–12 Education

Infuse physics lessons with computational thinking through a

Scaffolded Training Environment for Physics Programming

STEPP

Modeling Algorithmic Thinking Decomposition

Introductory Physics

Computational Thinking

STEM + Computing K–12 Education

Infuse physics lessons with computational thinking through a

Scaffolded Training Environment for Physics Programming

STEPP

Modeling Algorithmic Thinking Decomposition Abstraction

Introductory Physics

Computational Thinking

STEPP

Modules

STEPP

Module 0

Unplugged introductory first week of school activity originally planned with small groups, toy cars, and constant velocity cars. Students would work in groups to create a concept map of a car’s motion using natural language.

STEPP

Module 0.5

Using concept maps from Module 0, students are introduced to the idea of a state diagram, a computer science approach to modeling a system.

Scaffolded Inputs By Module and Level

Scaffolded Inputs By Module and Level

Scaffolded Inputs By Module and Level

Customize the look and features displayed

Dynamic Animation with Color Coded Graphing and Vectors

The Assessment Mode Hides Calculated Numbers

To try out STEPP go to:

stepp.utdallas.edu

Resources STEPP

stepp.utdallas.edu

https://youtu.be/W75BBhlOwaA

http://tinyurl.com/STEPP-AAPT-S21

Ready for your classroom next fall!

45-minute recorded virtual workshop from Spring 2021

Handout with links to resources