Students who participate in the project will assist in a "pooled data" global learning project. Students will run a modified version of the Karel J. Robot Java program which uses the Monte Carlo Method to calculate Pi. It is hoped that as more and more students participate in the project, we will move toward a more accurate approximation of Pi.

CONTACT PERSON:

Dan Eliot
Computer Science Teacher
El Dorado High School
1651 N. Valencia Ave, Placentia, CA, USA, 92871-1372
http://www.edhsonline.org/other/ap/java_karel_home.html
deliot@pylusd.k12.ca.us

PARTICIPANTS:

• Location: worldwide
• Number Of Participants: unlimited
• Grade Levels: high school AP Computer Science students, College "CS1" Java students
• Special Characteristics: students should be capable with Java and have used, or can easily install, the Karel J. Robot simulation Java files.
• Recruiting: Both AP Computer Science Mailing Lists, Assorted GLP Websites (to be listed).

GOALS AND OJBECTIVES:

• While participating in this project, students will see how a programming system (Karel J. Robot), can be modified and applied to an area of computer science for which it was not initially designed (Pi calculation). Karel was initially designed as, "a means of introducing novice programmers to object-oriented programming (OOP)". In this case, Karel is being modified and applied to a "brute force" pooled data calculation.
• While participating in this project, students will be able to discuss and evaluate the limitations of "brute force" calculation methods such as the Monte Carlo Method of Pi calculation. Additionally, students will be able to discuss the advantages (and limitations) imposed by using Karel J. Robot as a display method.
• While participating in this project, students will be exposed to a global learning project where their data is a small component of a larger whole. Students will gain an appreciation for collaboration with students with different backgrounds and over great distances.
• While participating in this project, students will see how a non-random value (Pi) can be calculated using a random process (The Monte Carlo Method).
• While participating in this project, students will have the opportunity to observe, evaluate and graph a logarithmic function.

RESOURCES NEEDED:

• Exclusive access to a Windows or Mac computer while the program runs
• Java Compiler installed with and editor or IDE
• Karel J. Robot installed, directions for installation can be found here.
• Possible additional instructions from your instructor to receive credit (?)

ACTIVITIES:

Students should run the provided Java program to completion and analyze data printed into the PiCalcResults.txt file. Students will then use the Report link to enter their results into the pooled online database. Teachers may add additional activities for students to receive credit (multiple runs, results printouts, screen shots, graphs, database printouts, etc.)

TIME FRAME:

Data collection will begin October, 2003. The project and data collection process will also continue indefinitely afterward.

EVALUATING STUDENT OUTCOMES:

Students will gather data, evaluate and analyze file output, enter data into HTML forms, and view online results summaries. Individual teachers may evaluate student outcomes via worksheets related to the project, discussion, testing, etc.

PROJECT EVALUATION:

The project will be evaluated based on the quality of data collected. Quality measures will include; computer time used, computer trials run, number of students participating, geographical distribution of participants, overall accuracy of the final Pi value generated, etc.

Additionally, teachers and participants will evaluate the process via e-mail comments and data form comments. Process evaluation is expected to include; clarity of project organization, simplicity of use for students, errors and problems with code, student comments about the project, extensions and additions to the project, etc.