Blog

Using multiple visual representations to understand the earthquake cycle

The GeoCoder model displays block code (procedural representation, left), the Deformation Simulation (geometric representation, upper right), and the deformation over time graph (graphical representation, bottom right).

Symbols, objects, maps, graphs, and simulations are all powerful tools for conveying information. However, some complex ideas just can’t be captured in a single representation. In these cases, multiple visualizations can be used together to convey and connect several pieces of related information. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, news organizations used a combination of […]

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TecRocks

GeoCRAFT

TecRocks allows students to investigate the evolution of rock sequences created under different tectonic conditions.

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Piloting the “Assessing Volcanic Hazards and Risk with Code” Module during COVID-19

This spring I had the opportunity to pilot the new online GeoCode tephra activities developed as part of the NSF-funded Visualizing GeoHazards and Risk with Code project with my 9th grade Honors Earth Science classes in Evergreen, Colorado. I’d been looking forward to the pilot for months, but only a handful of weeks before our […]

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Modeling the Taal Volcano in the Philippines

Taal Volcano

All volcanic eruptions are dangerous. Some are more dangerous than others. Volcanic eruptions range from slow, relatively gentle flows of lava to explosive eruptions of gases, ash, and rock. Our Visualizing Geohazards and Risk with Code project (GeoCode) challenges students to model tephra volcanic eruptions (tephra refers to all particles ejected explosively from a volcano, […]

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Use GeoCode Explorer to teach about volcanoes and block programming

Volcano

Volcanoes are some of the most impressive and unstoppable features on Earth. From the amazing artifacts at Pompeii to the photos of forests flattened by lava flows, the dangers associated with volcanoes are both terrifying and awe-inspiring. However, despite the risks, millions of people live in constant threat of damage to their homes, and more […]

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Visualizing Geohazards and Risk with Code (GeoCode)

GeoHazard Volcano

Engaging students in the study of geohazards through integrating computational thinking with science practices. Students will be able to transform real-world GPS data into visualizations and formulate scientific arguments about predicting impacts and assessing risks.

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