Teaching Computational Thinking Skills in C3STEM with Traffic Simulation

摘要

Computational thinking (CT) skills applied to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical assets for success in the 21st century workplace. Unfortunately, many K-12 students lack advanced training in these areas. C3STEM seeks to provide a framework for teaching these skills using the traffic domain as a familiar example to develop analysis and problem solving skills. C3STEM is a smart learning environment that helps students learn STEM topics in the context of analyzing traffic flow, starting with vehicle kinematics and basic driver behavior. Students then collaborate to produce a large city-wide traffic simulation with an expert tool. They are able to test specific hypotheses about improving traffic in local areas and produce results to defend their suggestions for the wider community.