”Diffusion and Random Walks” by Bernard Beckerman and Terry Gatchell

Edited by Kyle Thompson

The lesson begins with a background lecture on diffusion and Brownian motion and their significance. Then a guided NetLogo simulation of a single particle executing a random walk is observed and discussed with the class.
This activity uses a simple “random walk” computational model to teach students about the process of diffusion. Mathematics, experiential knowledge-based reasoning, and particle-based simulations are combined to enhance conceptual understanding and to connect microscopic phenomena with experimental observations.