Cindy Hmelo-Silver

The purpose of this project is to develop and validate computer-based summative assessments that focus on the science crosscutting concepts of systems and system models and structure and function. Consistent with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the assessments developed from this project will integrate these crosscutting concepts with two disciplinary core ideas (e.g. ecosystems or Earth systems), as well as science practices (e.g. developing and using models or engaging in ar...

Complex systems are an important part of the world that we live in and, as such, are recognized as a key concept in national and local science standards. One promising approach for promoting student understanding of complex systems is Structure-Behavior-Function thinking. A Structure-Behavior-Function model of a system explicitly represents the configuration of components and connections (structure), the visible output (functions), and the internal causal processes (behaviors) of the system....