T 174 Identifying and Addressing K16 Student Misconceptions

T 174. Identifying and Addressing K-16 Student Misconceptions in the Earth-Science Classroom National Association of Geoscience Teachers Lessons and Applications of Chaos and Complexity to the Geosciences Laura A. Guertin, Tanya Furman, Jason Petula, Scott Mc. Donald K-16 student misconceptions range from factual and conceptual misunderstandings of content to the nature/process of scientific knowledge to what scientists are like. We seek presentations that highlight research and share classroom/laboratory activities addressing these misconceptions. Lynn S. Fichter and Steve J. Baedke

Studies why and how the behavior of simple systems—simple algorithms—becomes more complex and unpredictable as the energy/information the system dissipates increases. + - Logistic system: Xnext = r. X (1 -X) But, if we push the system harder Its behavior evolves into this. Logistic System evolves to equilibrium Logistic System evolves to complexity

Is imbedded within. . . Complex Systems Theory

Complex Systems Theory . . . studies how systems with many “agents” that are already at high energy/information dissipation interact and behave. Agent: the individual units that are interacting, like. . .

Units of friction along a fault zone

Sand grains in a migrating ripple

A system with complexity may not be a complex system. Complex systems modeling is a fundamental philosophical shift from the mathematical assumptions of classical physics/chemistry. Yet, virtually everything on Earth behaves as a complex system.

An evolutionary Earth. . . • Does not evolve to equilibrium. • Does not evolve to lower energy states. • Does not increase in disorder. • Or, evolve by gradual (uniformitarian) mechansisms. and if you try to think of them, model them, teach them as classical systems you cannot begin to understand them.

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: 1) the more complex it becomes – entropy goes down – not up (i. e. order increases); IF the classical principle that systems evolve to greater disorder and lower energy states (the 2 nd Law) is right, . . . then we should be living in a chaotic and disorganized world Classical equilibrium theory does not provide explanations for evolution to increasing complexity, but this is what complex systems theory is about.

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: 2) the more sensitive dependent it becomes, capable of dramatic evolutionary change from minuscule changes in input; “The old idea of stable, slowly evolving climate was so widespread through the twentieth century – and died such a slow death – because it seemed to make the most sense. Abrupt change, in contrast, is so counterintuitive and so elusive that it is like a concert being played at a pitch beyond the range of human hearing. ”

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: 2) the more sensitive dependent it becomes, capable of dramatic evolutionary change from minuscule changes in input;

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: 2) the more sensitive dependent it becomes, capable of dramatic evolutionary change from minuscule changes in input; http: //www. ps 3 za. co. za/forum/showthread. php? t=82877

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: 3) the faster the changes come; Climate Institute: Extreme Weather http: //www. climate. org/topics/extreme-weather/index. html

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: 4) the larger the changes become, following a power law. New Madrid, Missouri Earthquakes

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: 4) the larger the changes become, following a power law. Natural Disasters—Forecasting Economic and Life Losses Dr. Christopher Barton and Dr. Stuart Nishenko, U. S. Geological Survey

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: 4) the larger the changes become, following a power law.

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: Furthermore: 5) despite being deterministic these systems are inherently unpredictable; the behavior often appears random; Equilibrium Theory Deterministic Chaos X next = r. X (1 -X) At high energy levels behavior becomes so complex it can appear random, the system has almost infinite behavior. The behavior is in fact not random, but it takes special mathematical lenses to see the patterns.

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: Furthermore: 6) yet, these systems produce readily recognizable and repeatable patterns (e. g. ripples) following simple algorithms. http: //brain. cc. kogakuin. ac. jp/~kanamaru/Chaos/e/Animation/lorenz. html

Chaos/Complex Systems Theories The more energy/information say: a system dissipates: Furthermore: 6) yet, these systems produce readily recognizable and repeatable patterns (e. g. ripples) following simple algorithms. Forrest and Haff, 1992, Mechanics of Wind Ripple Stratigraphy An agent based model

These Universality Properties of Complex Systems are highly connected. If the system follows a power law it is fractal. If it is fractal it behaves as a strange attractor. If it behaves as a strange attractor it is sensitive dependent. If it is sensitive dependent it is inherently unpredictable. But, being inherently unpredictable gives it the power to evolve to new states. “You can only see what you are looking for. . . ”

Development & Assessment

The logistic system: X = r. X (1 -X) Equilibrium Theory is not wrong, Equilibrium it is just incomplete. Deterministic next Theory Chaos We argue that it is essential to teach chaos/complexity concepts for our students to understand Earth systems.

jmu. edu/geology/Complex. Evolutionary. Systems/

Assessment data Includes mixed science and non-science students. Majority of these students have little or no prior exposure to chaos/complex system principles. Students learn the technical concepts of chaos/complex systems as easily as any other new subject. Students are capable of comprehending complex system models in both conceptual and authentic contexts.

Assessment data Thank you for you time. Questions?