Functional and Causal Abstractions of Complex Systems

• Ashok Goel, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Interactive Computing
• Swaroop Vattam, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Interactive Computing
• Spencer Rugaber, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Interactive Computing
• David Joyner, Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Interactive Computing
• Cindy Hmelo-Silver, Rutgers University, Department of Educational Psychology
• Rebecca Jordan, Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
• Sameer Honwad, Rutgers University, Department of Educational Psychology
• Steven Gray, Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
• Suparna Sinha, Rutgers University, Department of Educational Psychology

Abstract

Structure-Behavior-Function (SBF) models of complex systems use functions as abstractions to organize knowledge of structural components and causal processes in a system. We describe an interactive learning environment called ACT (Aquarium Construction Toolkit) for constructing simple SBF models of classroom aquaria, and report on a case study on the use of SBF thinking and the ACT tool in middle school science classes. We present initial data indicating that SBF thinking supported in part by the ACT tool leads to enhanced understanding of functions and behaviors of aquaria.

• The Paper: Functional and Causal Abstractions of Complex Systems

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