National Computational Science Institute Workshop
held in conjunction with the Sigma Xi Annual Meeting
Thursday, November 11, 2004
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Le Centre Sheraton
Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Free registration for this workshop.

Explore the tools of computational science - learn how they can be used to help your students "see" the invisible: phenomena that are too small (atoms and molecules), too large (galaxies and the universe), too fast (photosynthesis), too slow (geological processes), too complex (automobile engines), or too dangerous (toxic materials) for the classroom.

The National Computational Science Institute (NCSI), an NSF-funded initiative of the Shodor Education Foundation, is hosting an introductory workshop in computational sciences. This workshop will consider computational science as both method and content in undergraduate education from a general point of view, and will benefit faculty from any of the science or mathematical disciplines: life sciences, physical sciences, computer sciences, social sciences, mathematical sciences and engineering.

We just completed our Sigma-Xi/NCSI workshop and I wanted to write you and tell you what a great success it was. I think that the participants really got something out of this and they all left wanting more.
—Bill Wischusen, Louisiana State University Sigma Xi Chapter

The intent of NCSI is to introduce faculty from math and science to the idea of computational science and some of the general tools that exist to teach with and to do computational science with students. This workshop is open to all college faculty, whether they have attended a previous NCSI workshop or not. High school faculty may also be accepted into available space after the initial deadlines. This workshop will:

• examine computational science -- the process of doing science using computation, simulation and modeling -- looking at pedagogical issues that arise from using computational science techniques in the classroom
• consider a variety of ready-to-use tools available on the web, and discuss the ramifications of using other people's models
• introduce through hands-on activities several general modeling tools, including Excel and the dynamical modeling packages Stella and AgentSheets
• allow faculty to work in interdisciplinary teams as well as networking with others from like disciplines on problems All faculty will receive various software tools explored during the workshop. There is NO FEE to attend this workshop. Support is provided by the National Science Foundation, the Shodor Education Foundation and Sigma Xi.

For more information or to register, send e-mail to Lisa Rhoades at chapterprograms@sigmaxi.org. Please note, space in limited.