Category: News
Hiroki Sayama Publishes Complex Systems Textbook
NetSci High collaborator Hiroki Sayama has recently published the textbook
Introduction to the Modeling and Analysis of Complex Systems
Introduction to the Modeling and Analysis of Complex Systems introduces students to mathematical/computational modeling and analysis developed in the emerging interdisciplinary field of Complex Systems Science. Complex systems are systems made of a large number of microscopic components interacting with each other in nontrivial ways. Many real-world systems can be understood as complex systems, where critically important information resides in the relationships between the parts and not necessarily within the parts themselves. This textbook offers an accessible yet technically-oriented introduction to the modeling and analysis of complex systems. The topics covered include: fundamentals of modeling, basics of dynamical systems, discrete-time models, continuous-time models, bifurcations, chaos, cellular automata, continuous field models, static networks, dynamic networks, and agent-based models. Most of these topics are discussed in two chapters, one focusing on computational modeling and the other on mathematical analysis. This unique approach provides a comprehensive view of related concepts and techniques, and allows readers and instructors to flexibly choose relevant materials based on their objectives and needs. Python sample codes are provided for each modeling example.
NetSci High Goes to CompleNet
With a supplemental award from NSF all our NetSci High students and teachers participated in the 6th International Workshop on Complex Networks. The NetSci High students presented their posters at CompleNet and discussed their work with attendees, and attended the entire conference and networked with some of the top researchers in the Network Science field, including some of the founders of the field such as Reka Albert and Mark Newman.
At CompleNet, NYSCI is hosting "Big Data Fest", a public science event.
The term “Big Data” is frequently used to describe everything from how social media are used to gather information about consumers, to how data affect political, environmental and economic decision-making, to data that address security and health concerns. Yet although we might know that Big Data affects our daily lives, its exact nature – what Big Data is, and how it works – remains a mystery to most of us.
Big Data Fest pulls back the curtain on Big Data – revealing what it is, how it can help you know more about your world and how it helps the world know more about you. You will get to tinker with Big Data and interact with the researchers who work with it, find out how data and information have been used throughout history, and the ways that Big Data help us to better understand ourselves and how we fit into a global society. Through a wide variety of activities for all ages you will experience first-hand and hands-on how the most important scientific and technological advancements are made through the collecting and mapping of many different kinds of data - from the pictures you take with your phone to the satellites that hover above the Earth.
Big Data Fest is free with admission to the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) and all registered attendees of the International Workshop on Complex Networks (CompleNet 2015), and will include art exhibits, hands-on activities, talks, demonstrations, performances and workshops happening throughout NYSCI.
Participants:
- MIT Macro Connections: Bringing data to life at MIT Media Lab
- Rutgers University COOL Lab: real-time ocean data
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory: human interactions in the environment
- Sloan Digital Sky Survey: 3-D maps of the universe
- NYU ITP: communications tech and the arts
- Network Science for the Next Generation: data research with high schools
- Beacon Institute: Hudson River real-time data
- CoCensus Interactive: Queens Data Laboratory
- MindRider: Citibike and the many moods of cycling culture in NYC
- Welikia: Historical and contemporary NYC ecosystems data
- NYSCI Noticing Apps: surprising things you can learn from your own data
- Friends in Space: connect with astronauts and make friends around the world
- SourceMap: Where does everything come from and how does it get to you?
- MakerSpace: Build your own sensors and map your own data streams
- Humanexus: How data have been with us all along
For more information, visit: Big Data Fest @ CompleNet 2015
NetSci High Student Video Retrospective of CompleNet:
Cambridge Science Festival Workshops April 22nd
When: April 22, 2015
Where: Boston University (School of Education Room 130, 2 Silber Way)
Time: 2 pm - 4 pm (note new times)
Free registration at: Cambridge Science Festival Registration Page
The field of network science aims to solve some of the most complex problems facing our society today. In this series of discussions and workshops for teens, families, educators, learn to see the world around you in a whole new way… through the lens of networks! Networks are embedded in our society, biology, chemistry, technology infrastructures, and so much more. Networks are at the interface of science and art. The workshops are progressive in nature or can stand alone. Sign up for as many sessions as you wish.
The workshop will cover the following:
Network Science Overview
Discover the many ways in which network science is changing the ways we explore our and make meaning of our interconnected world. Learn about the role of networks in the spread of disease, the crash of stock markets, the toppling of dictators, and more.
Network Science & Visualizations
Explore some of the principles of design in computational visualization of data and networks and survey a wide range of data visualizations
Student Research
Learn about research a high school student team has done on biological networks.
Organizations and Networks
Many successful organizations accomplish their goals by creating a board of directors, or a small group of people who can support, advise and inspire them. Create your on board of directors and use concepts of network science to consider how best to grow your organization.
For any questions, please contact Paul Trunfio at trunfio@bu.edu
NetSci High Featured on Stelar
This summer, twenty four students had an opportunity to meet Dr. Alex “Sandy” Pentland from MIT’s Media Lab, Dr. Gene Stanley from Boston University’s Center for Polymer Studies, and other researchers to learn about current applications in network science. The goal of ITEST’s Network Science for the Next Generation - known as “NetSci High” - is to immerse high school students and teachers in the burgeoning field of network science through a yearlong research experience. Each year, NetSci High begins with an intensive 10-day summer workshop where students and teachers are introduced to network science concepts, learn programming skills in Python, and practice creating basic network models using visualization software. At the end of this summer’s workshop, eleven student teams who had just completed their year-long NetSci High research projects during the previous school year took the floor to present their work. The projects represented the interdisciplinary nature of network science and its ability to draw students of all interests into STEM fields. Titles of their research topics included:
- A Network Analysis of Foreign Aid Based on Bias of Political Ideologies
- Comparing Two Human Disease Networks: Gene-Based and Symptom-Based Perspectives
- Influence at the 1787 Constitutional Convention
- Quantifying Similarity of Benign and Oncogenic Viral Proteins Using Amino Acid Sequence
- Quantification of Character and Plot in Contemporary Fiction
- RedNet: A Different Perspective of Reddit
- Tracking Tweets for the Superbowl
During the upcoming 2014/15 academic year, research lab faculty and graduate student mentors will guide the new student teams through the research process. They will participate in data collection, data processing, network modeling, and analysis, using freely available computer tools. The teams will further explore how to visualize different types of networks, calculate network statistics, and describe network processes, and will then analyze the data to find answers to their specific research questions. Students will also visit the New York Hall of Science, the Network Science Center at the United States Military Academy West Point, and Stevens Institute of Technology in order to broaden their exposure to current network science research.
NetSci High has opened doors for me that would not be open without the program. I have continued to work with computer science as well as network science. I am currently working with [grad student] to map out the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Thank you once again and I hope to hear from you soon. - J.I., member of 2013/14 New York metro area team.
We are proud that the NetSci High project has garnered scholarships for student participants, fostered student-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals, and supported student teams in presenting research posters at the International NetSci conferences in Budapest, Hungary; Chicago, Illinois; and Berkeley, California. As the NetSci High organizers, we look forward to increasing network science literacy through continued student research opportunities, broader teacher training, and publishing a Network Science Workshop Training Manual for other groups to use.
This is a reprint of an article appearing on the: STEM Learning and Research Center.
NetSciEd3 Berkeley
NetSciEd3 was held June 2, 2014 at the NetSci International Conference at University California Berkeley. The satellite workshop focussed on network science teaching and learning at all levels of formal and informal education, as well as how network science helps inform and understand learning processes and organizations.
The morning included presentations, posters, and a hands-on working roundtable in which we collaboratively attempted to map NetSci concepts to formal curriculum frameworks.
Topics included:
- Teaching Teachers Network Science Concepts
- Network Science in K-16 Practice and Policy
- Network Science in Informal Education
- Tools for Teaching Network Science
- New Directions in Learning Science
- Developing Metrics for Effective Educational Collaboration Networks
Visit: NetSciEd3
NetSciEd2 Copenhagen
The Second NetSci Satellite Symposium on Network Science in Education (NetSciEd2) at NetSci 2013 in Copenhagen followed the success of the first NetSciEd held last year, and focussed on how to expand network science-oriented educational outreach on a global scale. NetSciEd2 sought to identify trends in the use of network science to investigate the structure of educational networks, as well as exploring how to infuse network science into teaching and learning environments to help inform education policy. Topics to be discussed include:
- Network Science in K-16 Practice and Policy
- Network Science in Informal Education
Developing Metrics for Effective Educational Collaboration Networks
For more information visit: NetSciEd2
Summer 2013 Workshop & Conference
Planning for our Summer 2013 workshop and conference is underway.
Our workshop will be July 15 - 24, 2013 at Boston University's Science Center (590 Commonwealth Avenue).
The broad schedule is:
- Monday, July 15 and Tuesday July 16: Teacher Focus Workshop
- Wednesday, July 17: Welcome, Class of 2013 Conference, Keynotes
- Thursday, July 18 to Wednesday July 24: Workshop
More information is available at Get Involved.
Newburgh Student-Teacher Teams Visit West Point
Several cadets and NSC faculty members met with students, teachers, and family members from Newburgh Free Academy to share a few of the many network science (NS) projects cadets are conducting at West Point. Cadets gave presentations on research they have recently completed and also offered the students some advice based on lessons they learned in the process. Faculty members shared their insight into why a network approach can offer a new perspective to problems. This was extremely valuable because the Newburgh students are beginning their own NS research project with their teachers.
In addition to the presentation, cadets also took the visitors on a tour of the academic area. Students got a chance to see the classrooms and buildings and ask the cadets questions about what life is like at the academy. By the end of the day all of the visitors had a deeper appreciation for the academy, faculty and especially the work done by the cadets.
For the entire story and pictures, visit: The Central Node (at West Point's Network Science Center)
NetSci High Group Photo
Our NetSci High Workshop was a blast! Twenty high school students from New York and Boston, as well as teachers, graduate students and scientists came together for a hands-on workshop at BU from August 21-25. Students experienced an immersive introduction to network science, completed small group projects, and prepared for an academic year of research.
NetSci High Summer Workshop Nearing
The NetSci High Workshop at Boston University will soon be upon us! We will welcome 20 high school students, teachers and graduate students to Boston for an exciting week from August 21 through 25.
All accepted students and teachers to the program have been e-mailed the link for online Registration as well as a Parent/Guardian Permission Form and detailed program information.
