Lesson 3. Moving to Text Based Coding

Sugat Dabholkar, Philip Woods, Connor Bain, Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens, Kevin Hall
Biology, Self-directed
45-50 min
Introductory High School Biology
v3

Overview

In this unit, students transition to text-based coding to build a computational model of a simple ecosystem involving wolves and moose based on Isle Royale National Park. They later evaluate this model using real data from the Isle Royale ecosystem and use it to make predictions about the future of the island.

Standards

Next Generation Science Standards
  • Life Science
    • [HS-LS2] Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
    • [HS-LS4] Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
  • NGSS Crosscutting Concept
    • Patterns
    • Systems
    • Stability and Change
  • NGSS Practice
    • Analyzing Data
    • Using Models
    • Conducting Investigations
Computational Thinking in STEM
  • Data Practices
    • Analyzing Data
    • Manipulating Data
    • Visualizing Data
  • Modeling and Simulation Practices
    • Using Computational Models to Find and Test Solutions
    • Using Computational Models to Understand a Concept
  • Computational Problem Solving Practices
    • Troubleshooting and Debugging
  • Systems Thinking Practices
    • Investigating a Complex System as a Whole
    • Thinking in Levels
    • Understanding the Relationships within a System

Credits

Unit designed/developed by Dabholkar, S., Hall K., Woods P., & Bain C.

Acknowledgement

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation (grants CNS-1138461, CNS-1441041 and DRL-1020101) and the Spencer Foundation (grant 201600069). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, and/or recommendations are those of the investigators and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding organizations.

Activities

  • 1. Moving from NetTango to NetLogo
  • 2. Zooming out
  • 3. Transforming the World Part 2

Student Directions and Resources


In this unit you will build a computer model of a simple ecosystem involving wolves and moose based on Isle Royale National Park.  You will later evaluate that model using real data from the Isle Royale ecosystem and use it to make predictions about the future of the island.

1. Moving from NetTango to NetLogo


We will transfer the code that you generated in NetTango to the new NetLogo model. This will give us the basic functions that you worked on before but allow us to make more direct changes.  If you need help with any of the steps listed below, click here to see a video of the process.

1. Set up a model similar to the one you completed in the earlier lesson using NetTango.  Make sure you click "Recompile" after you finish making changes.

2. Scroll down and click on the 'NetLogo Code' arrow below the block areas to see the full code of the first model written out.  Select all of this code and copy it.

3. Scroll down to the second model lower on the page.  These instructions will continue below.

4. Click the "NetLogo Code" button in the second model and paste the code there.

5. Click the "Recompile Code" button in the second model.

6. Click setup and go in the second model.

7. Answer the questions below.


Question 1.1

After you transferred the code to NetLogo and clicked setup and start, does the model look the same as the NetTango version?

  Identical
  A little different
  Very different


Question 1.2

The wolves and moose can be transformed into other shapes or organisms. Go to the 'set shape' line for wolves and change the shape for a wolf to a star.  Find 5 other shapes (for example, geometric shapes, other animals or plants, or vehicles) that you can change the wolves or moose into and list them below. Remember to always click on the "recompile code" button after making changes.



Question 1.3

What else can you change in the model by changing the code?

2. Zooming out


Right now, our ecosystem is very small, with only a handful of moose and wolves.  In order for it to be more useful for studying places like Isle Royale, we need to make the ecosystem bigger.  Open the NetLogo code tab and make the changes need to transform your basic NetTango model into a model that shows interactions on much wider scale.

 


Question 2.1

To make this ecosystem more realistic, we need there to be more animals in it.  Try to make the model start with 20 wolves and 100 moose.  How did you change the number of wolves or moose that start off the model?



Question 2.2

When there are a lot of animals, it is hard to see them all when they are so big.  Try to make the wolves and moose smaller.  How did you change the size of the wolves and the moose?



Question 2.3

Why do you think having a bigger ecosystem is important for studying wolf and moose populations?

3. Transforming the World Part 2


Before we work with a more realistic model of wolves and moose, go ahead and mess around again and create your own world? Although this time you will make your changes directly in the code. Don't forget to click the "recompile code" button after you make your changes.

Explain your process below.


Question 3.1

Describe the changes you made to transform your world.



Question 3.2

Copy and paste the NetLogo code produced in your model below.



Question 3.3

What do you like working with more, the blocks or directly with the code?

  Blocks
  Code


Question 3.4

Explain why you chose the previous answer.