Science simulation development with
Scratch
Katerina Glezou, kglezou@di.uoa.gr
A΄ Arsakeio General Senior High School, Filekpaideftiki
Etaireia
Short Presentation
This study focuses on exploring the use of Scratch
for constructing science simulations with students of Senior High School in
authentic classroom conditions. We attempt to contribute to the discussion on
the main parameters of planning, developing and implementing an effective
constructionist approach aimed at engaging students in simulation development
as an interdisciplinary project. Building upon earlier researches we
implemented alternate teaching strategies as simulation development from
scratch and use of preconstructed Scratch projects in order to support student
inquiry and learning with models in science. The proposed activities are
characterized by a gradual increase in the complexity and difficulty degree and
functions as scaffolding during the gradual familiarization of the students with
Scratch. In the process, we observed how the students build, test, revise and
remix models, collaborate and elaborate concepts developed in previous programming
activities, in order to deal with more complex problems. In this study, we
report findings of the classroom research aiming at shedding light on 16
year-old students’ construction processes as they worked with Scratch. We describe
the basic characteristics of the overall process and highlight the differences
in the students’ levels of engagement and performance. We present students’
skills, attitudes and views concerning the use of Scratch for science simulation
development and indicate some special features of the programming environment
that contribute to or cause difficulty in the creation of an effective learning
environment.
The suggested approach was pilot
implemented in the framework of the “Project” course in a class of the 1st grade of A΄ Arsakeio General Senior High School in
Athens, Greece, during the first four-month period of the school year
2011-2012.
Figure 1. The Scratch
environment, sample projects, and sample blocks stack of the students’ work.
Keywords
Scratch; constructionism; programming;
science simulation
