Week 3: Introduction to Abstraction and Complex Systems
Learning Objective: This week focuses on the fundamental computer science concept of Abstraction. In NetLogo, the student learns about local variables, looping and iteration. The science concept of Complex Adaptive Systems are also introduced.
Pacing Guide (.doc)
Do Now Questions
- Do Now Slides (.ppt)
- Do Now Questions - with answers (.doc) ***
- Do Now Questions Handout - no answers (.doc)
Optional Presentation
- The following presentation can be used to explore the concepts of Complex and Complicated. Two images are presented, side by side, one being complicated and the other being complex. The student is asked to pick out which image represents a complex system.
- Complex or Complicated (.ppt)
Programming Challenge
- Programming assignment: Spiraling Art Using a Repeat Loop (.doc)
- NetLogo Cheat Sheet (.doc)
- Sample NetLogo Code Example 1 ***
- Sample NetLogo Code Example 2 ***
- Sample NetLogo Code Example 3 ***
- Other Sample Programs ***
- Grading Rubric (.doc)
CS Concepts
- Computer Science Concepts (.doc)
Videos
- Abstraction in Computer Science [13.23] (.mp4) (.ppt) (transcript)
- Data Representation: Colors [11.28] (.mp4) (transcript)
- CS Constructs: Local Variables [4:49] (.mp4) (.ppt) (transcript)
- CS Constructs: Looping and Iteration [5.40] (.mp4) (.ppt) (transcript)
- Introduction to Complex Systems [10.09] (.mp4) (.ppt) (transcript)
- Emergence - PBS Documentary [11:54] (.mp4) (transcript)
- Video Summaries (.doc)
Reading Materials
Hands on activities (optional)
- Experimenting with Color (.doc)
- Loop Da Loops Activity (.doc)
- Pixel Art Activity (.doc)
Quiz - WITH ANSWERS (.doc) ***
Quiz – NO ANSWERS (.doc) ***
*** All answers to quizzes, tests, Do Nows and sample programs are available upon request to teachers or other interested memebers of the CS education community but not to students taking the class. Please contact to request this information.
