Pre-reading: Arguments for introducing ST/DM into K-12 Curriculum.

• Provide notation to support the description and critical evaluation of “Mental Models.”

• Provide mathematical apparatus for exploring scientific, social and historical phenomena.

• Study cross-discipline subjects using a common notation• Improve confidence in and clarity of thought an communication.• Understand cause and effect relationships over short and long

time periods.• Discover sensitivity in natural and human structures.• Develop skill in systematic thinking and modeling.• Understand the effect of drifting goals.

Arguments against introducing modeling into K-12 school curriculum

• Modeling is an Art: Arts tend to be elective and they take talent and practice.

• Capable teachers of classical academic subjects may not be prepared to teach and motivate students to model subject matter.

• Modeling might have to become a core requisite to classical subjects like biology, chemistry, physics or even history

• All models are false: it is difficult to construct models that approach reality. Counter examples abound.

Current headlines (CS Monitor 5/31/2010)

• Benefits and fallout from “peacefully” running Israeli blockade.

• South Korean rhetoric over Cheonan sinking reduced.• Political effects of Gulf oil spill control efforts.• Hugo Chavez influence on Colombian elections.• US Reaction to Brazil/Turkey’s Iranian Uranium swap

proposal.• Israeli mideastern Nuclear Proliferation Treaty proposal• Islamic courts vs Nigerian Sovereignty.• Frog extinction due to Central American fungal epidemic.

More Headlines(6/3/2010)

• New National Public School Standards.• Obama joins partisan finger pointing.• Arizona immigration law summit: Anger over White house

meeting with governor.• White House says it contacted candidate about jobs.• South Florida man charged with running $40 million ponzi

scheme.• Giant sinkhole in Guatemala City: It can be

fixed?