Introduction to Networks Unit for Middle & High School Students

1. Kate Murphy & Mary Sagartz SFI Summer Leadership Workshop, 2010 Introduction to Networks Unitfor Middle & High School Students

2. Unit Activities • Social Network Activity • Simple Networks Activity • Kevin Bacon Video Activity • Introduction to NetLogo Activity • Simple NetLogo Network Activity • Epidemic Activity

3. Social Network Activity • Warm-up: What do you know about networks? Students answer; then discuss. • Put one node on board for each student. • Each student draws links to the 2 students they would most like to work with (more isolated kids go first) • Discuss network

4. Simple Networks Activity • In small groups, brainstorm where else you can find networks. • Each group selects one and draws it. • Each group presents their network to the class.

5. Kevin Bacon Video Activity • Warmup: What do you know about “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon”? Students answer; then discuss. • Show “How Kevin Bacon Cured Cancer”. • Have students write a paragraph on the meaning of the title. (Note: KM math students end here; begin unit on Königsberg bridge problem and applying networks to solving math and logic problems.)

6. Introduction to NetLogo Activity • Introduce NetLogo as a tool for creating and manipulating networks. • In small groups students create their social network under the instruction/demonstration of the teacher. • Students try simple manipulations of the network that demonstrate selected features of NetLogo.

7. Social Network Demo

8. Simple NetLogo Network Activity • In small groups students build their original simple networks in NetLogo, revising their model as necessary. • Each group presents problems encountered during the process and explains how the problem was solved. • Teacher assists/advises as necessary during this activity.

9. Epidemic Activity • Warmup: What is a simulation? What do you know about infectious diseases? Students answer; then discuss. • Describe the basic situation and model shown in the Epidemic program. • Run the simulation. • Demonstrate and discuss the program. • Students write a paragraph about their impressions of the program.