Computer modeling in science education: toward a research and planning agenda

Computer modeling can dramatically enliven science education by engaging students in active investigation and providing compelling learning experiences that enhance scientific insight and understanding. Computational facilities once limited to the science research community are becoming increasingly available for use in precollege science education. These include networking and teleconferencing resources, parallel modeling, computer visualization, computer-based laboratory probes, and virtual reality environments. However, there is a significant lag between the new technological capabilities and their effective educational implementation. This panel discusses the question: what research issues need to be addressed in bringing computer modeling into the K-12 science curriculum?