Equation-Based Modeling and Reactive Computational Notebooks for Education | Nov 3

Talk summary:

Many Geoscience concepts (and other concepts!) are difficult to transmit to students in lecture format. At the same time, geoscience models (such as climate and air pollution models) are often difficult to understand and improve. This talk will explore the convergence of several technologies to increase interactivity in scientific education and connect it to professional science. First, a framework called ModelingToolkit can be used to convert equations into runnable simulations in a way that is performant enough for professional use as well as educational use. These equation systems can be used as assignments in Pluto “reactive” computational notebooks that instantaneously respond to student input, allowing for real-time feedback on student progress as well as interactive visualizations of results. Finally, these notebooks can be integrated into the PrairieLearn online learning system for installation-free coding and automatic grading. Examples will focus on atmospheric science but the concepts involved could be relevant to most scientific fields. Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop computer.

Bio:

Dr. Christopher Tessum is an Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Tessum received a B.M.E in Mechanical Engineering and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering, with a minor in Public Health, from the University of Minnesota. His research assesses air pollution-related effects of human activity, focusing on mechanistic modeling of outdoor air pollution and its health impacts, quantifying inequities in the distribution of those impacts, and proposing and testing solutions. He studies the relationships between emissions, human activities that cause them, and the resulting health impacts, and develops modeling capabilities to enable these types of analyses.