# ecoMOD ![Image of pond and forest (real life).](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_28_10__1920x685/public/ecolearn/files/banner_ecomod.jpg?itok=ysDveszZ) Overview Video Resources Project Members ## Overview The EcoMOD (Model/Modify, Observe, Design) research project explores the power of immersive virtual environments to support computational thinking and ecosystem science learning in elementary grades. Computational thinking and scientific modeling have been incorporated as essential practices for STEM education in the Next Generation Science Standards. Integrating modeling into the elementary science curriculum offers the potential to meet important 21st century learning goals, including understanding causal relationships in complex systems and infusing computational thinking into disciplinary contexts. EcoMOD addresses this challenge of merging computational thinking and scientific modeling within elementary science classrooms. The work blends an immersive virtual environment with a computational modeling and programming platform to support learning of ecosystems science, complex causality and computational thinking in the third and fourth grades. ![Virtual world screenshot of pond.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/ecolearn/files/ecoxpt_overview_1.jpg?itok=NQOUGsb5) Computational models in K-12 science education can make scientific concepts more accessible and enhance student understanding of phenomena, particularly when students are able to engage in programming scientific models. Visual block-based programming interfaces offer new opportunities to bring computational modeling for STEM learning to elementary school. Immersive virtual environments and computational modeling platforms offer complementary ways to support student engagement and learning. The EcoMOD 3rd grade curriculum interweaves an immersive 3D virtual ecosystem and a 2D visual programming and modeling environment to support learning both ecosystem science concepts and computational modeling. The immersive 3D world lets students observe, explore, collect data, and travel in time, in a forest ecosystem that includes beavers building a dam. A point-of-view (POV) tool also lets students “be” a beaver. With the 2D modeling tool, students construct an agent-based computational model of a beaver building a dam using domain-specific visual programming blocks. As students build and test their models, they observe emergent outcomes in the ecosystem, and make inferences about causal relationships between the elements of the ecosystem. ![Virtual world screenshot of pond and water analysis tool.](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/ecolearn/files/ecoxpt_overview_2.png?itok=t9O4uyeI) ![2D modeling tool](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/ecolearn/files/beaver_program_model_2d.png?itok=oV1rrMSh) ***Impact:*** Developing advanced scientific and computational knowledge in later grades depends on creating a strong foundation in the elementary school. EcoMOD offers practitioners an effective approach for integrating computational modeling, science content, and inquiry-based practices within elementary science instruction and demonstrates the feasibility and value of immersive learning technologies and agent-based modeling in classroom settings to increase knowledge and interest in STEM. ***Findings:*** Findings from pilot studies show that the EcoMOD curriculum was successful at supporting growth in ecosystems science content, causal reasoning, and computational thinking, while at the same time reinforcing modeling as the practices through which those ideas developed. The EcoMOD curriculum was implemented in classrooms during March-June 2019 with 7 teachers and 150 students; full analysis of that data is currently in progress. Teachers reported high engagement from their students, and felt that the curriculum was feasible and supported students in inquiry-based learning, science content, causality, and programming. We are currently revising EcoMOD curriculum materials, including lesson plans, teacher guides, and professional development materials, based on teacher feedback and classroom findings. These will be released with a stand-alone version of the EcoMOD software for widespread use under a free research license from Harvard University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant DRL-1639545 (2016-2020). Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. ## Video ## EcoMOD 2019 video This video was featured in the [NSF 2019 STEM For All Video Showcase](http://stemforall2019.videohall.com/). ## EcoMOD: Blending Computational Modeling with Virtual Worlds This video was featured in the [NSF 2018 STEM For All Video Showcase](http://stemforall2018.videohall.com/). ## Resources To access the suite of EcoLearn resources, please visit [ecolearn.projectzerohgse.com.](http://ecolearn.projectzerohgse.com) ## Project Members [### Dr.Chris Dede ](/people/chris-dede)Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies Chris Dede is the Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education (HGSE). His fields of scholarship include emerging technologies, policy, and leadership. In 2007, he was honored by Harvard University as an... ![Chris Dede](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/ecolearn/files/dede_chris.jpg?itok=2AGT0hBY) [### Dr.Tina Grotzer ](/people/tina-grotzer)Principal Research Scientist in Education Tina Grotzer is a Faculty Member at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and and Principal Research Scientist at Project Zero. She directs the Causal Learning in a Complex World Lab. Her research focuses on how causal reasoning interacts with... ![Tina Grotzer](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/ecolearn/files/grotzer_tina.jpg?itok=p7JaaqhE) [### Dr.Amy Kamarainen ](/people/amy-kamarainen)Education and Station Coordinator for the Salmon Coast Field Station in British Columbia, Canada Amy Kamarainen is an ecosystem scientist who applies her understanding of ecosystems science and research to the design and evaluation of technologies that aim to support science learning inside and outside of the classroom. She worked as a post-doctoral... ![Amy Kamarainen](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/ecolearn/files/kamarainen_amy.jpg?itok=VIZvaBaY) [### Dr.Shari Metcalf ](/people/shari-metcalf)Project Director Shari Metcalf served as the Project Director of EcoMUVE, EcoMOBILE, EcoXPT and EcoMOD projects at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, directing research on the use of immersive technologies for K-12 ecosystem science. Her research focuses on... ![Shari Metcalf](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/ecolearn/files/metcalf_shari.jpg?itok=gxnVdqOD) [### Dr.Karen Brennan ](/people/karen-brennan)Associate Professor Karen Brennan is an Associate Professor at Harvard's Graduate School of Education (HGSE). Her research is primarily concerned with the ways in which learning environments—in and out of school, online and face-to-face—can be designed to support young... ![Karen Brennan](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/ecolearn/files/brennan_karen.png?itok=csOnVI6R) [### Dr.Amanda Dickes ](/people/amanda-dickes)Learning Scientist | Gulf of Maine Research Institute Amanda Dickes worked as a postdoctoral research fellow on the EcoMOD project at Harvard University. Her research focuses on the design of learning environments that integrate computational modeling with other forms of scientific modeling - physical... ![Amanda Dickes](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/ecolearn/files/dickes_amanda.png?itok=X3ivApwb) [### Soobin Jeon ](/people/soobin-jeon) Soobin Jeon is a research assistant on the EcoMOD project at Harvard University. She received her Master’s in Technology, Innovation, and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2019 and her B.A. from Wellesley College, with a double... ![Soobin](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/ecolearn/files/20190806_215007_1.jpg?itok=jYoY7qR9) [### Joseph Reilly ](/people/joseph-reilly)Doctoral Student, Harvard Graduate School of Education Joseph Reilly is a doctoral student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education where he has worked as a research assistant on the EcoMOBILE, EcoXPT, and EcoMOD projects. He holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Georgetown University and a M.A. in Special... ![Joseph Reilly](/sites/g/files/omnuum4961/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/ecolearn/files/reilly_square.png?itok=jk74R0Kd) ## Publications Download 10 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=11&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1684521&content_filter%5B1%5D=1684511&content_filter%5B2%5D=1551640&content_filter%5B3%5D=1474646&content_filter%5B4%5D=1475099&content_filter%5B5%5D=1475098&content_filter%5B6%5D=1475097&content_filter%5B7%5D=1474650&content_filter%5B8%5D=1474649&content_filter%5B9%5D=1474594&content_filter%5B10%5D=1475100&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=11&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1684521&content_filter%5B1%5D=1684511&content_filter%5B2%5D=1551640&content_filter%5B3%5D=1474646&content_filter%5B4%5D=1475099&content_filter%5B5%5D=1475098&content_filter%5B6%5D=1475097&content_filter%5B7%5D=1474650&content_filter%5B8%5D=1474649&content_filter%5B9%5D=1474594&content_filter%5B10%5D=1475100&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=11&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1684521&content_filter%5B1%5D=1684511&content_filter%5B2%5D=1551640&content_filter%5B3%5D=1474646&content_filter%5B4%5D=1475099&content_filter%5B5%5D=1475098&content_filter%5B6%5D=1475097&content_filter%5B7%5D=1474650&content_filter%5B8%5D=1474649&content_filter%5B9%5D=1474594&content_filter%5B10%5D=1475100&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=11&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1684521&content_filter%5B1%5D=1684511&content_filter%5B2%5D=1551640&content_filter%5B3%5D=1474646&content_filter%5B4%5D=1475099&content_filter%5B5%5D=1475098&content_filter%5B6%5D=1475097&content_filter%5B7%5D=1474650&content_filter%5B8%5D=1474649&content_filter%5B9%5D=1474594&content_filter%5B10%5D=1475100&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=11&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1684521&content_filter%5B1%5D=1684511&content_filter%5B2%5D=1551640&content_filter%5B3%5D=1474646&content_filter%5B4%5D=1475099&content_filter%5B5%5D=1475098&content_filter%5B6%5D=1475097&content_filter%5B7%5D=1474650&content_filter%5B8%5D=1474649&content_filter%5B9%5D=1474594&content_filter%5B10%5D=1475100&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=11&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1684521&content_filter%5B1%5D=1684511&content_filter%5B2%5D=1551640&content_filter%5B3%5D=1474646&content_filter%5B4%5D=1475099&content_filter%5B5%5D=1475098&content_filter%5B6%5D=1475097&content_filter%5B7%5D=1474650&content_filter%5B8%5D=1474649&content_filter%5B9%5D=1474594&content_filter%5B10%5D=1475100&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=11&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=1684521&content_filter%5B1%5D=1684511&content_filter%5B2%5D=1551640&content_filter%5B3%5D=1474646&content_filter%5B4%5D=1475099&content_filter%5B5%5D=1475098&content_filter%5B6%5D=1475097&content_filter%5B7%5D=1474650&content_filter%5B8%5D=1474649&content_filter%5B9%5D=1474594&content_filter%5B10%5D=1475100&&format=ris) ### 2022 Metcalf, S., Dede, C., Jeon, S., & Reilly, J. (2022). [Fostering Systemic and Evidentiary Thinking in Elementary Learners: Concept Mapping of Causal Relationships in Ecosystems](/publications/fostering-systemic-and-evidentiary-thinking-elementary-learners-concept). In *CMC 2022: Ninth International Concept Mapping Conference, Sept 26-28*. Metcalf, S., Dede, C., Jeon, S., & Reilly, J. (2022). [Fostering Systemic and Evidentiary Thinking in Elementary Learners: Concept Mapping of Causal Relationships in Ecosystems](/publications/fostering-systemic-and-evidentiary-thinking-elementary-learners-concept). In *CMC 2022: Ninth International Concept Mapping Conference, Sept 26-28*. ### 2021 Metcalf, S., Reilly, J., Jeon, S., Wang, A., Pyers, A., Brennan, K., & Dede, C. (2021). [Assessing computational thinking through the lenses of functionality and computational fluency](/publications/assessing-computational-thinking-through-lenses-functionality-and). *Computer Science Education*, *31*(2), 199-223. Metcalf, S., Reilly, J., Jeon, S., Wang, A., Pyers, A., Brennan, K., & Dede, C. (2021). [Assessing computational thinking through the lenses of functionality and computational fluency](/publications/assessing-computational-thinking-through-lenses-functionality-and). *Computer Science Education*, *31*(2), 199-223. - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://doi.org/10.1080/08993408.2020.1866932) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://doi.org/10.1080/08993408.2020.1866932) ### 2020 Jeon, S., Metcalf, S., Dickes, A., & Dede, C. (2020). [Elementary teacher perspectives on a blended computational modeling and ecosystem science curriculum](/publications/elementary-teacher-perspectives-blended-computational-modeling-and-ecosystem). In *Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference* (pp. 46-55). Jeon, S., Metcalf, S., Dickes, A., & Dede, C. (2020). [Elementary teacher perspectives on a blended computational modeling and ecosystem science curriculum](/publications/elementary-teacher-perspectives-blended-computational-modeling-and-ecosystem). In *Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference* (pp. 46-55). ### 2019 Reilly, J., Metcalf, S., Studwell, J., Kamarainen, A., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2019). [Automatic Evaluation of Concept Maps From an Immersive Virtual World for Ecosystem Science Learning](/publications/automatic-evaluation-concept-maps-immersive-virtual-world-ecosystem-science). In *National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Conference*. Reilly, J., Metcalf, S., Studwell, J., Kamarainen, A., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2019). [Automatic Evaluation of Concept Maps From an Immersive Virtual World for Ecosystem Science Learning](/publications/automatic-evaluation-concept-maps-immersive-virtual-world-ecosystem-science). In *National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Conference*. Metcalf, S., Reilly, J., Studwell, J., Kamarainen, A., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2019). [Linking Evidence and Concept Maps in Virtual Environments for Ecosystems Science Learning](https://clic.gse.harvard.edu/files/clic/files/metcalf_narst19_presentation.pdf). In *National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Conference*. Metcalf, S., Reilly, J., Studwell, J., Kamarainen, A., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2019). [Linking Evidence and Concept Maps in Virtual Environments for Ecosystems Science Learning](https://clic.gse.harvard.edu/files/clic/files/metcalf_narst19_presentation.pdf). In *National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Conference*. - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://clic.gse.harvard.edu/files/clic/files/metcalf_narst19_presentation.pdf) - [ descriptionPublisher's Version](https://clic.gse.harvard.edu/files/clic/files/metcalf_narst19_presentation.pdf) Metcalf, S., Brennan, K., & Dede, C. (2019). [Design of an Agent-Based Visual Programming Tool for Elementary Ecosystem Science Learning](/publications/design-agent-based-visual-programming-tool-elementary-ecosystem-science). In *ACM International Computing Education Research conference*. Metcalf, S., Brennan, K., & Dede, C. (2019). [Design of an Agent-Based Visual Programming Tool for Elementary Ecosystem Science Learning](/publications/design-agent-based-visual-programming-tool-elementary-ecosystem-science). In *ACM International Computing Education Research conference*. Dickes, A., Kamarainen, A., Metcalf, S., Brennan, K., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2019). [Integrating Immersive Virtual Worlds with Computational Modeling to Support Scientific Practice in Elementary Learners](/publications/integrating-immersive-virtual-worlds-computational-modeling-support-scientific). In *American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference*. Dickes, A., Kamarainen, A., Metcalf, S., Brennan, K., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2019). [Integrating Immersive Virtual Worlds with Computational Modeling to Support Scientific Practice in Elementary Learners](/publications/integrating-immersive-virtual-worlds-computational-modeling-support-scientific). In *American Educational Research Association (AERA) Conference*. Dickes, A., Kamarainen, A., Metcalf, S., Gun-Yildiz, S., Brennan, K., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2019). [Scaffolding ecosystems science practice by blending immersive environments and computational modeling](/publications/scaffolding-ecosystems-science-practice-blending-immersive-environments-and). *British Journal of Educational Technology*. Dickes, A., Kamarainen, A., Metcalf, S., Gun-Yildiz, S., Brennan, K., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2019). [Scaffolding ecosystems science practice by blending immersive environments and computational modeling](/publications/scaffolding-ecosystems-science-practice-blending-immersive-environments-and). *British Journal of Educational Technology*. ### 2018 Dickes, A., Metcalf, S., Kamarainen, A., Reilly, J., Brennan, K., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2018). [EcoMOD: Integrating Computational Thinking into Ecosystems Science Education via Modeling in Immersive Virtual Worlds](/publications/ecomod-integrating-computational-thinking-ecosystems-science-education). *ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education*, *49*, 1076-1076. Dickes, A., Metcalf, S., Kamarainen, A., Reilly, J., Brennan, K., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2018). [EcoMOD: Integrating Computational Thinking into Ecosystems Science Education via Modeling in Immersive Virtual Worlds](/publications/ecomod-integrating-computational-thinking-ecosystems-science-education). *ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education*, *49*, 1076-1076. Dickes, A., Metcalf, S., Kamarainen, A., Reilly, J., Brennan, K., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2018). [EcoMOD: Integrating Computational Thinking into Ecosystems Science Education via Modeling in Immersive Virtual Worlds](/publications/ecomod-integrating-computational-thinking-ecosystems-science-education-0). In *Connected Learning Summit*. Dickes, A., Metcalf, S., Kamarainen, A., Reilly, J., Brennan, K., Grotzer, T., & Dede, C. (2018). [EcoMOD: Integrating Computational Thinking into Ecosystems Science Education via Modeling in Immersive Virtual Worlds](/publications/ecomod-integrating-computational-thinking-ecosystems-science-education-0). In *Connected Learning Summit*. 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