Abstract for: Description and demonstration of a simulation learning environment for discovery learning about simple accumulations

This poster presents a web-based simulation learning environment for facilitating discovery learning about accumulations. It was designed to complement an Introduction to Environmental Science course at the college level, but will eventually be available as a stand-alone package. The primary learning objective is to develop the user’s understanding of the relationship between inflows, outflows, and accumulations, as well as the effect of changes in inflow and outflow rates. Results from the use of this simulation in freshman Environmental Science classes will be presented in another paper. Here we describe the domain and discovery learning objectives, storyboard, and interpretive scaffolding of the simulation learning package, and present insights from user feedback on the design. We plan to have a demonstration version of the simulation available at the conference.