The Structure of Programs and Molecules

Abstract

This study is an example of how programming can be used to enhance the learning of science. It examines the progress of a high school student using Boxer, a programming language designed as a successor to Logo. The student began by writing programs to create representations of molecules. His initial programs had few subprocedures. When he found it was difficult to modify his program, however, he began to use subprocedures effectively. He eventually created a highly sophisticated program that was relatively easy to understand. Furthermore, the increased structure of his programs helped him to focus on the structure of the subject matter.