MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) is a tool for numerical computation and visualization. It is an important platform for engineering and science education as well as research. We know of no other high school in the Northwest with access to MATLAB.

The Mathematical Modeling class at W.F. West teaches students how to use MATLAB to first build a computational model using the core concepts of computer programming, and then add to the model a Graphical User Interface (GUI), so that the model’s behavior can be easily visualized and explored. Some W.F. West students have used MATLAB models in their Advanced Physics projects. Students learn key programming ideas, such as arrays, loops, functions, and basic data structures.