MVHS is collaborating with the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center to provide computational science training to Pittsburgh area teachers through the Computation and Science for Teachers (CAST) project. See Computational Resources for Teachers for a collection of modeling and visualization activities for science and math classes.
Modeling Oscillatory Systems, a project designed by MVHS teachers Don Higdon, Bud Rorison, Allen Skinner and Charlotte Trout, was recently referenced in the textbook, Introduction to Computational Science, written by Angela B. and George W. Shiflet.
An article describing lessons learned through 17 years of experience helping teachers learn to use computer models and simulations in their classrooms was published in the Journal of Computational Science Education. The article, Preparing Teachers to Infuse Computational Science into their Classroom Instruction, synthesizes the work done by MVHS in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center and the Math and Science Collaborative of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
An article describing the advantages of using systems dynamics models in high school physics classes to help students develop conceptual physics understanding was published in the September 2011 issue of The Physics Teacher. In the article, Building Conceptual Physics Understanding, Charlotte Trout, the lead author, shares the insights she gained through using computer models with her students at Williamsport High School in Washington County, Maryland.
Computer simulations from Maryland Virtual High School were recently featured in the Future Schools section of Scholastic Administrator magazine. Charlotte Trout, science specialist in Washington County, Maryland, described how she used computer simulations with her students to extend their "wet" lab experiments. Through the use of simulations, students are able to analyze data and graphs, test hypotheses, and critically evaluate the reliability of a model.