"I've developed a greater conception of my subject matter with respect to technology and how to improve my teaching with it. This integration will greatly benefit my students in exploring relationships across the curriculum."

CMIST: Computational Modules in Science Teaching

Overview

CMIST (Computational Modules in Science Teaching) is a new program of the National Resource for Biomedical Supercomputing (NRBSC) at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. The goal of the CMIST program is to bring innovative science tutorials into secondary school classrooms, focusing on integrative computational biology, physiology, and biophysics. In contrast to other teaching tools, CMIST modules include high quality, biologically realistic 3-D animations produced with cutting-edge simulation and visualization software developed at the NRBSC. CMIST subject material is chosen to highlight critical concepts that are difficult to convey with static textbook images and words; for example, cellular transport of molecules by diffusion and osmosis, or the structure and function of enzymes in cells. Thus CMIST modules bring a visually-engaging but highly accurate view of biological and medical function into the classroom, providing an easy means to improve student understanding and retention of complex multidisciplinary material. In addition, CMIST modules effectively bridge cutting-edge research and teaching, exciting student interest at all levels and promoting future careers in science and technology.

Purpose and Objectives

This workshop addresses several critical issues in science education: unification of STEM disciplines, connecting scientific concepts across the curriculum, and the integration of a more quantitative approach to teaching science. It is evident that the aging science teacher population was not trained to teach the newly emerging technologies that are so quickly influencing science applications relevant to the current high school student population (Eash, 1990). Presenters will share methodologies and strategies that have cumulated into a standards-based integrative approach to advancing science and technology within the classroom. This workshop will demonstrate how CMIST has helped teachers to teach with state-of-the-art research and to develop an overarching conception of their subject matter with respect to technology.

To register for a CMIST workshop, please use the NRBSC workshop registration form.

Funding for the CMIST program is provided in part by National Institute of Health.