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Osman Yaşar

State University of New York @ Brockport, Education, Faculty Member

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I am a scholar with a broad interest in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.

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University of California, Santa Barbara

University of British Columbia

Lancaster University

Central European University

Armando Marques-Guedes

UNL - New University of Lisbon

Gwen Robbins Schug

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Francisco Vazquez-Garcia

Universidad de Cadiz

Richard Cloutier

Université du Québec à Rimouski

Paola Bacchetta

University of California, Berkeley

Christine Sleeter

California State University, Monterey Bay

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Papers by Osman Yaşar

A Systematic Literature Review of Computational Thinking in K-8 Education Setting Through The Lens Of a Pedagogical Content Knowledge Analysis

Computational Thinking, Redefined

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Mar 26, 2018

A Universal Process: How Mind and Matter Seem to Work

Science Discovery, 2015

There are scientific reports suggesting striking similarities between the structures of networked... more There are scientific reports suggesting striking similarities between the structures of networked systems, ranging from the tiny brain cells to atoms, to the Internet, and all the way up to even the galaxies. It is further argued that the similarities might be due to the existence of a universal natural growth process. At the microscopic level we do not yet know what that mechanism might be, however, we do have some significant clues at the macroscopic level, which do indicate that both mind (a network of the brain cells) and matter (i.e., network of atoms, molecules, planets, and galaxies) operate similarly. This article attempts to briefly explain such similarities using an abstract growth process and a structural representation along with some general concepts from computing, cognitive and natural sciences. This operational structure is well aligned with the latest empirical research on cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Technology tools whose pedagogical use is also aligned with our operational structure of the mind have been found to consistently increase student engagement and achievement in secondary schools. The same growth process and structural representation seem to describe the behavior and growth of the matter in the universe in many ways we can all relate to. Our interdisciplinary experience and analysis of analogies in different fields offer support to reports by the physicists and biologists about existence of a universal growth mechanism.

A computational view of scientific thinking

Academia letters, Jul 15, 2021

Teaching Science through Computation

International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 2013

We present a computational pedagogy approach to teaching an interdisciplinary science course. Mod... more We present a computational pedagogy approach to teaching an interdisciplinary science course. Modeling and simulation tools allow us to introduce a science topic from a simplistic framework and then move into details after learners gain a level of interest to help them endure the hardships and frustration of deeper learning. More than 90% of students in course surveys state that modeling improved their understanding of science concepts. Students appear to appreciate learning not only the use of simulation tools to design and conduct science experiments, but also basic programming skills to simulate a science experiment using a simple algebraic equation, new = old + change. A strong link is established between computational and natural sciences. Students learn in a simplistic framework how laws of nature act as the source of change.

Implementation of KIVA-3 on distributed memory MIMD computers

ABSTRACT KIVA-3 is the latest version of a 3-D Finite Difference CFD code developed by Amsden for... more ABSTRACT KIVA-3 is the latest version of a 3-D Finite Difference CFD code developed by Amsden for combustion engine simulations. A distributed-memory implementation has many advantages for problems that hardly fit affordable existing memory banks. Previous attempts to parallelize KIVA-2 by Yasar, et al. were focused mostly on diffusion solvers because of their heavy time consumption during execution. The study suggested a complete parallelization of the code, including advection and spray dynamics, along with the use of a block-wise decomposition scheme to assure an efficient load balancing and a low communication/computation ratio. Here, the authors report rather a general analysis of the issues involved in such a distributed implementation for the latest version of the code, KIVA-3, on MIMD parallel systems. A more detailed analysis of the code and corresponding algorithms have already been implemented by Yasar and will be published soon.

Retrieval Practices Enhance Computational and Scientific Thinking Skills

Frontiers in Psychology, Jun 29, 2022

Modeling and Simulation: How Everything Seems to Form and Grow

Computing in Science and Engineering, 2017

The Essence of Computational Thinking

Computing in Science and Engineering, 2017

Computational Pedagogy: A Modeling and Simulation Approach

Computing in Science and Engineering, May 1, 2014

A new perspective on computational thinking

Communications of The ACM, Jun 25, 2018

How modelling can shed light on memory retrieval

Futurum Careers, 2022

The essence of computational thinking and tools to promote it

He established the first undergraduate degree program in computational science in the United Stat... more He established the first undergraduate degree program in computational science in the United States and developed a computational pedagogical content knowledge (CPACK) framework for teacher education. His research interests include engineering and science education, computational pedagogy, computational and scientific thinking as well as fluid dynamics, engine ignition modeling, and parallel computing. Yasar has a PhD in engineering physics and a MS in computer science and in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated with a BS in engineering physics and

Plasma Channels for the Libra Reactor Design

Fusion Technology, May 1, 1991

One method of propagating light ions from beam generating diodes to ICF targets in a fusion react... more

Cognitive Aspects of Computational Modeling and Simulation in Teaching and Learning

Journal of computational science education, Apr 1, 2016

We discuss cognitive aspects of modeling and simulation in an efficacy study of computational ped... more We discuss cognitive aspects of modeling and simulation in an efficacy study of computational pedagogical content knowledge professional development of K-12 STEM teachers. Evidence includes data from a wide range of educational settings over the past ten years. We present a computational model of the mind based on an iterative cycle of deductive and inductive cognitive processes. The model is aligned with empirical research from cognitive psychology and neuroscience and it opens door to a whole series of future studies on computational thinking.

Computational Pedagogy: Fostering a New Method of Teaching

He established the first undergraduate degree program in computational science in the United Stat... more He established the first undergraduate degree program in computational science in the United States and developed a computational pedagogical content knowledge (CPACK) framework for teacher professional development. His research interests include engineering and science education, computational pedagogy, computational theory of mind, fluid and particle dynamics, engine ignition modeling, and parallel computing. Yasar has a PhD in engineering physics and MS degrees in computer science and nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also has BS and MS degrees in physics from Hacettepe University-Ankara. He co-founded a national supercomputer center and a doctoral program in computational science and engineering at Istanbul Technical University. In 2005, he was honored as one of the Top 25 national icons in his native homeland. Contact him at

Computational Modeling of Hermetic Reciprocating Compressors

International Journal of High Performance Computing Applications, Feb 1, 2007

Detailed experimental measurements of a compressor (pressure, temperature, speed) are not easily ... more Detailed experimental measurements of a compressor (pressure, temperature, speed) are not easily available because of size, cost, and access difficulties. A comprehensive computer model is necessary to obtain pressure-volume diagrams for the compressor. The valve is a key component of a compressor as it determines both the efficiency and reliability of the compressor. The valves operate as a result of pressure differences between the ports and the gas chamber. Undesired vibrations and fatigue fracture of thin valves (0.2 mm steel sheet) have not been well understood and experimental difficulties do not allow a thorough analysis of the causes. Initial investigations and modifications to KIVA-3V showed this code can be used to model both gas and suction valve motion. Since the code was written for internal combustion engines, its adaptation to compressors proved to be a difficult task, particularly because of the orientation and complexity of valves. Extensive modifications were made to model an angularly moving valve system, however as we moved down from engine scale (10 cm) to compressor scale (1 cm), grid resolution became a challenge from time to time. Preliminary results showed that the design of the suction valve and the chamber impacts the pressure difference between the input port and the gas chamber. The higher the piston speed, the lower the pressure of the gas, making it perhaps more plausible to avoid premature valve closings at higher speeds. Even though it is still under investigation, valve location and the orientation of its loose end makes a difference to the pressure, suggesting that new designs may be necessary by manufacturers. Experimental data will be needed to validate our model and verify our observations. Future steps include adding a discharge valve and a fluid-solid interface (FSI) module to the modified KIVA-3V code in order to predict the motion of the valves as a result of their interaction with the chamber gas.

Computational Pedagogical Content Knowledge (CPACK): Integrating Modeling and Simulation Technology into STEM Teacher Education

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Mar 2, 2015

Teaching with technology remains as a challenge for STEM teachers. Making judicious choices of wh... more Teaching with technology remains as a challenge for STEM teachers. Making judicious choices of when, what and how specific tools and pedagogies to use in the teaching of a topic can be improved with the help of curriculum inventories, training, and practice but as new and more capable technologies arrive, such resources and experience do not often transfer to new circumstances. Even within the realm of a particular technology, the choice of which tool would be better to teach a topic needs judicious thinking. This article presents a qualitative case study in which pre-service and in-service teachers are trained about not just the use but also basic operating principles of a technology in an attempt to enhance its integration into teaching in a more permanent, constructivist, and tool-independent way. The focus of our work is computational modeling and simulation technology (CMST). Based on pre/post activity surveys, focus group interviews, and artifacts, the results suggest that if teachers move beyond ‘using’ tools and learn the basic mathematical and computational principles of modeling and simulation, they can construct their own models, rather than using readymade ones, navigate between multiple tools that operate on the same principles, and as a result gain confidence to more judiciously decide under different circumstances as to what tools might better facilitate teaching of a topic.

Radiation-magnetohydrodynamics of plasmas on parallel supercomputers

Presents a parallel computational model to simulate plasmas in the radiation-magnetohydrodynamics... more Presents a parallel computational model to simulate plasmas in the radiation-magnetohydrodynamics (R-MHD) framework. The solution of the radiation field usually dominates the R-MHD computation. The authors solve the linear Boltzmann equation for the radiation field intensity, using the deterministic SN discrete ordinates method. Choosing an energy-domain decomposition the authors have implemented the SN method on a parallel processor, the Intel iPSC/860, and the speedups are very favorable. Increasing almost linearly with the number of processors, the speedup reaches 14 on 16 processors. A comparison of timing measurements between a single processor CRAY Y-MP and a 16 processor iPSC/860 implementation strongly favors parallelism by a factor of 3.7

Computational Pedagogy Approach to STEM Teaching and Learning

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Mar 17, 2014

This article describes computational pedagogy, an approach to teaching principles of computing ai... more This article describes computational pedagogy, an approach to teaching principles of computing aided by modeling and simulation. Besides fostering abstraction skills in students, this approach motivates them to learn programming and supports both the deductive and inductive forms of instruction. Specifically, the article reports how computational pedagogy was implemented in the context of a professional development program for teachers and what impact that professional development program had on STEM teaching and learning in secondary schools.

A Systematic Literature Review of Computational Thinking in K-8 Education Setting Through The Lens Of a Pedagogical Content Knowledge Analysis

Computational Thinking, Redefined

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Mar 26, 2018

A Universal Process: How Mind and Matter Seem to Work

Science Discovery, 2015

There are scientific reports suggesting striking similarities between the structures of networked... more There are scientific reports suggesting striking similarities between the structures of networked systems, ranging from the tiny brain cells to atoms, to the Internet, and all the way up to even the galaxies. It is further argued that the similarities might be due to the existence of a universal natural growth process. At the microscopic level we do not yet know what that mechanism might be, however, we do have some significant clues at the macroscopic level, which do indicate that both mind (a network of the brain cells) and matter (i.e., network of atoms, molecules, planets, and galaxies) operate similarly. This article attempts to briefly explain such similarities using an abstract growth process and a structural representation along with some general concepts from computing, cognitive and natural sciences. This operational structure is well aligned with the latest empirical research on cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Technology tools whose pedagogical use is also aligned with our operational structure of the mind have been found to consistently increase student engagement and achievement in secondary schools. The same growth process and structural representation seem to describe the behavior and growth of the matter in the universe in many ways we can all relate to. Our interdisciplinary experience and analysis of analogies in different fields offer support to reports by the physicists and biologists about existence of a universal growth mechanism.

A computational view of scientific thinking

Academia letters, Jul 15, 2021

Teaching Science through Computation

International Journal of Science, Technology and Society, 2013

We present a computational pedagogy approach to teaching an interdisciplinary science course. Mod... more We present a computational pedagogy approach to teaching an interdisciplinary science course. Modeling and simulation tools allow us to introduce a science topic from a simplistic framework and then move into details after learners gain a level of interest to help them endure the hardships and frustration of deeper learning. More than 90% of students in course surveys state that modeling improved their understanding of science concepts. Students appear to appreciate learning not only the use of simulation tools to design and conduct science experiments, but also basic programming skills to simulate a science experiment using a simple algebraic equation, new = old + change. A strong link is established between computational and natural sciences. Students learn in a simplistic framework how laws of nature act as the source of change.

Implementation of KIVA-3 on distributed memory MIMD computers

ABSTRACT KIVA-3 is the latest version of a 3-D Finite Difference CFD code developed by Amsden for... more ABSTRACT KIVA-3 is the latest version of a 3-D Finite Difference CFD code developed by Amsden for combustion engine simulations. A distributed-memory implementation has many advantages for problems that hardly fit affordable existing memory banks. Previous attempts to parallelize KIVA-2 by Yasar, et al. were focused mostly on diffusion solvers because of their heavy time consumption during execution. The study suggested a complete parallelization of the code, including advection and spray dynamics, along with the use of a block-wise decomposition scheme to assure an efficient load balancing and a low communication/computation ratio. Here, the authors report rather a general analysis of the issues involved in such a distributed implementation for the latest version of the code, KIVA-3, on MIMD parallel systems. A more detailed analysis of the code and corresponding algorithms have already been implemented by Yasar and will be published soon.

Retrieval Practices Enhance Computational and Scientific Thinking Skills

Frontiers in Psychology, Jun 29, 2022

Modeling and Simulation: How Everything Seems to Form and Grow

Computing in Science and Engineering, 2017

The Essence of Computational Thinking

Computing in Science and Engineering, 2017

Computational Pedagogy: A Modeling and Simulation Approach

Computing in Science and Engineering, May 1, 2014

A new perspective on computational thinking

Communications of The ACM, Jun 25, 2018

How modelling can shed light on memory retrieval

Futurum Careers, 2022

The essence of computational thinking and tools to promote it

He established the first undergraduate degree program in computational science in the United Stat... more He established the first undergraduate degree program in computational science in the United States and developed a computational pedagogical content knowledge (CPACK) framework for teacher education. His research interests include engineering and science education, computational pedagogy, computational and scientific thinking as well as fluid dynamics, engine ignition modeling, and parallel computing. Yasar has a PhD in engineering physics and a MS in computer science and in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He graduated with a BS in engineering physics and

Plasma Channels for the Libra Reactor Design

Fusion Technology, May 1, 1991

One method of propagating light ions from beam generating diodes to ICF targets in a fusion react... more

Cognitive Aspects of Computational Modeling and Simulation in Teaching and Learning

Journal of computational science education, Apr 1, 2016

We discuss cognitive aspects of modeling and simulation in an efficacy study of computational ped... more We discuss cognitive aspects of modeling and simulation in an efficacy study of computational pedagogical content knowledge professional development of K-12 STEM teachers. Evidence includes data from a wide range of educational settings over the past ten years. We present a computational model of the mind based on an iterative cycle of deductive and inductive cognitive processes. The model is aligned with empirical research from cognitive psychology and neuroscience and it opens door to a whole series of future studies on computational thinking.

Computational Pedagogy: Fostering a New Method of Teaching

He established the first undergraduate degree program in computational science in the United Stat... more He established the first undergraduate degree program in computational science in the United States and developed a computational pedagogical content knowledge (CPACK) framework for teacher professional development. His research interests include engineering and science education, computational pedagogy, computational theory of mind, fluid and particle dynamics, engine ignition modeling, and parallel computing. Yasar has a PhD in engineering physics and MS degrees in computer science and nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also has BS and MS degrees in physics from Hacettepe University-Ankara. He co-founded a national supercomputer center and a doctoral program in computational science and engineering at Istanbul Technical University. In 2005, he was honored as one of the Top 25 national icons in his native homeland. Contact him at

Computational Modeling of Hermetic Reciprocating Compressors

International Journal of High Performance Computing Applications, Feb 1, 2007

Detailed experimental measurements of a compressor (pressure, temperature, speed) are not easily ... more Detailed experimental measurements of a compressor (pressure, temperature, speed) are not easily available because of size, cost, and access difficulties. A comprehensive computer model is necessary to obtain pressure-volume diagrams for the compressor. The valve is a key component of a compressor as it determines both the efficiency and reliability of the compressor. The valves operate as a result of pressure differences between the ports and the gas chamber. Undesired vibrations and fatigue fracture of thin valves (0.2 mm steel sheet) have not been well understood and experimental difficulties do not allow a thorough analysis of the causes. Initial investigations and modifications to KIVA-3V showed this code can be used to model both gas and suction valve motion. Since the code was written for internal combustion engines, its adaptation to compressors proved to be a difficult task, particularly because of the orientation and complexity of valves. Extensive modifications were made to model an angularly moving valve system, however as we moved down from engine scale (10 cm) to compressor scale (1 cm), grid resolution became a challenge from time to time. Preliminary results showed that the design of the suction valve and the chamber impacts the pressure difference between the input port and the gas chamber. The higher the piston speed, the lower the pressure of the gas, making it perhaps more plausible to avoid premature valve closings at higher speeds. Even though it is still under investigation, valve location and the orientation of its loose end makes a difference to the pressure, suggesting that new designs may be necessary by manufacturers. Experimental data will be needed to validate our model and verify our observations. Future steps include adding a discharge valve and a fluid-solid interface (FSI) module to the modified KIVA-3V code in order to predict the motion of the valves as a result of their interaction with the chamber gas.

Computational Pedagogical Content Knowledge (CPACK): Integrating Modeling and Simulation Technology into STEM Teacher Education

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Mar 2, 2015

Teaching with technology remains as a challenge for STEM teachers. Making judicious choices of wh... more Teaching with technology remains as a challenge for STEM teachers. Making judicious choices of when, what and how specific tools and pedagogies to use in the teaching of a topic can be improved with the help of curriculum inventories, training, and practice but as new and more capable technologies arrive, such resources and experience do not often transfer to new circumstances. Even within the realm of a particular technology, the choice of which tool would be better to teach a topic needs judicious thinking. This article presents a qualitative case study in which pre-service and in-service teachers are trained about not just the use but also basic operating principles of a technology in an attempt to enhance its integration into teaching in a more permanent, constructivist, and tool-independent way. The focus of our work is computational modeling and simulation technology (CMST). Based on pre/post activity surveys, focus group interviews, and artifacts, the results suggest that if teachers move beyond ‘using’ tools and learn the basic mathematical and computational principles of modeling and simulation, they can construct their own models, rather than using readymade ones, navigate between multiple tools that operate on the same principles, and as a result gain confidence to more judiciously decide under different circumstances as to what tools might better facilitate teaching of a topic.

Radiation-magnetohydrodynamics of plasmas on parallel supercomputers

Presents a parallel computational model to simulate plasmas in the radiation-magnetohydrodynamics... more Presents a parallel computational model to simulate plasmas in the radiation-magnetohydrodynamics (R-MHD) framework. The solution of the radiation field usually dominates the R-MHD computation. The authors solve the linear Boltzmann equation for the radiation field intensity, using the deterministic SN discrete ordinates method. Choosing an energy-domain decomposition the authors have implemented the SN method on a parallel processor, the Intel iPSC/860, and the speedups are very favorable. Increasing almost linearly with the number of processors, the speedup reaches 14 on 16 processors. A comparison of timing measurements between a single processor CRAY Y-MP and a 16 processor iPSC/860 implementation strongly favors parallelism by a factor of 3.7

Computational Pedagogy Approach to STEM Teaching and Learning

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Mar 17, 2014

This article describes computational pedagogy, an approach to teaching principles of computing ai... more This article describes computational pedagogy, an approach to teaching principles of computing aided by modeling and simulation. Besides fostering abstraction skills in students, this approach motivates them to learn programming and supports both the deductive and inductive forms of instruction. Specifically, the article reports how computational pedagogy was implemented in the context of a professional development program for teachers and what impact that professional development program had on STEM teaching and learning in secondary schools.