Less is More: Agent-Based Simulation as a Powerful Learning Tool in Materials Science

This paper reports on a user study of a computer-aided learning environment for Materials Science. “MaterialSim” is an agentbased set of microworlds built in the NetLogo modeling environment, for investigating crystallization, solidification, metallic grain growth and annealing. Six undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory Materials Science course participated in the study, in which they could run experiments and build models. The rationale for the design is that the agent-based perspective may foster deeper understanding of the relevant scientific phenomena. A core feature is that students can apply a small number of local rules to capture fundamental causality structures underlying complex behaviors within a domain. We present evidence in the form of excerpts and samples of students’ work, which demonstrates that experience with MaterialSim enabled them to identify and understand some of the unifying principles in Materials Science and build sophisticated new models based on those principles.