CAST
Professional Development Program
The CAST Professional Development Program is an integrated set of modules to train teachers on how to incorporate computational reasoning and tools, such as modeling and simulation, into their middle and high school math and science curriculum. The modules are organized in two tracks:
- The introductory track is a set of modules that focuses on how to use models and simulations that already exist and are available over the internet, with enough understanding about how such models work to know how to use them effectively in the classroom.
- The depth track is a set of modules that provides more in-depth understanding and hands-on experience with the different modeling tools. This track is intended for new CAST PDP trainers and also teachers who desire a deeper understanding of the tools.
Introductory track
{jutabs type=”accordion” accordionmode=”vertical” width=”80%” defaultitem=”-1″}
{/jutabs}
Depth Track
Modeling software
The models are built in one of three software packages: Vensim PLE, NetLogo, and Excel.
- Download Vensim PLE (free for educators) to run the .mdl.zip files: http://www.vensim.com/freedownload.html
- Download NetLogo (freeware) to run the .nlogo.zip files: http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/download.shtml
The CAST Professional Development Program is supported by the DSF Charitable Foundation, the Frick Fund of the Buhl Foundation, and the Grable Foundation. All modules and materials are copyright of the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center and are available online as an Open Education Resource.