| Modeling Dynamic Systems Section 6 |
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Author(s):
Diana Fisher |
Subject:
System Dynamics |
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In the classroom example provided in this section, the author lists many "potential systems problems" that are related to the issue of overpopulation. As an extension exercise, students can be asked to identify ways in which people have attempted to solve these related problems. Did the solutions address the underlying population issue in any way? Were they successful interventions? In complex systems, proposed solutions that do not recognize and address the underlying dynamics that need to be changed are low-leverage policies; they usually fail to achieve any significant change in the overall behavior of the system. Students can be asked to undertake a similar analysis in their own investigation of a news story. |
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 PDF
Link to the simulation: http://www.iseesystems.com
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| Modeling Dynamic Systems Section 10 |
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Author(s):
Diana Fisher |
Subject:
System Dynamics |
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There are several characteristics of complex systems that can be discussed with students during these lessons. The fictitious city seems to face a dilemma; the tanning industry provides needed jobs in the present, but water pollution can cause serious detrimental effects over the long term. This is closely coupled with the idea that cause and effect in complex systems are often separated by time and space.
In the case of pollution, contamination can take decades to produce measurable effects. In the meantime, the range of impact can spread far from the initial source via transport in water, wind, etc. Finally, the lesson mentions that tanning has been outsourced from this country to developing countries; a classic case of "shifting the burden." Rather than allowing the true costs of tanning to be reflected in the prices of the finished goods, the industry itself escapes pressure to reform by sending the negative consequences to other, less regulated countries. |
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PDF
Link to the simulation: http://www.iseesystems.com
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| Modeling Air-Powered Rockets |
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Author(s):
Christopher DiCarlo |
Subject:
Science |
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Students learn the physics of forces acting on a paper rocket in the context of systems thinking and modeling tools in this project. The lessons become more authentic and engaging when the classroom moves outside. |
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PDF
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| Model Mysteries: An Exploration of Vampires, Zombies, and Other Fantastic Scenarios to Make the World a Better Place |
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Author(s):
Anne LaVigne, & Lees Stuntz |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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This book contains six main chapters, each with a new mystery to solve. Each chapter has a number of similar stories to try, depending on your interest. The modeling activities are intended for students from ages 10 to 110. In other words, if you’re interested in thinking about how to solve mysteries and like the idea of creating computer models and applying them to real-world problems, this book is for you. You can use it independently as a student, work with a group of students, or if you’re a teacher, share it with interested students to complete a guided or independent study project.
In addition to the main chapters, Chapter 7 provides an extension to build additional capacity in modeling, and Chapter 8 includes next steps, additional resources, and information about modeling software. You can also reference the appendices for details about completing the chapter mysteries.
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| Living Lands — Forest and Town Simulation |
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Author(s):
Anne LaVigne, & Jen Andersen |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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This lesson with multi-user simulation explores the management of a national forest and its surrounding towns. Student teams log in and make decisions for a local town or for the surrounding forest that has a large level of accumulated fuel. The decisions of individual teams impact all other teams. Damage from potentially catastrophic fires looms, and students must try to manage the situation to protect the area, both now and into the future. |
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| Let It Roll! An Interdisciplinary Middle School Math/Science Unit Using a STELLA Model of the Physics of Motion |
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Author(s):
Rob Quaden, J. Trierweiler, & D. Lyneis |
Subject:
Cross-Curricular |
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In this unit eighth graders first conduct a physics of motion laboratory experiment and then try to understand the behavior using model building, math reasoning and scientific reasoning. |
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 Zipped (Models & PDF)
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| Lessons in Mathematics: A Dynamic Approach |
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Author(s):
Diana M. Fisher |
Subject:
Math |
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The abstractness of a traditional approach to mathematics causes many students to falter. This book focuses on making the abstractness more concrete with interesting and fun lessons. It uses STELLA software's icon-based, non-abstract language to structure |
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More about the book at: http://www.iseesystems.com/store/college_university/MathBook.aspx
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| Lessons in Mathematics Section 9: Appendix |
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Author(s):
Diana M. Fisher |
Subject:
Math |
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This book provides a set of tools that enables educators to teach mathematics using the framework of System Dynamics. Section 9 is a useful reference for all lessons in the book. Included are generic modeling structures, a summary of motion, distance-velo |
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More about the book at: http://www.iseesystems.com/store/college_university/MathBook.aspx
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| Lessons in Mathematics Section 8: Miscellaneous Topics |
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Author(s):
Diana M. Fisher |
Subject:
Math |
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This book provides a set of tools that enables educators to teach mathematics using the framework of System Dynamics. Section 8 presents a natural extension of linear and exponential growth study - arithmetic and geometric sequences. Application to an age |
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More about the book at: http://www.iseesystems.com/store/college_university/MathBook.aspx
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| Lessons in Mathematics Section 7: Differential Equations |
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Author(s):
Diana M. Fisher |
Subject:
Math |
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This book provides a set of tools that enables educators to teach mathematics using the framework of System Dynamics. Section 7 builds on the skills of Sections 5 and 6 using classic problems studied with differential equations. Exponential, convergent an |
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PDF
More about the book at: http://www.iseesystems.com/store/college_university/MathBook.aspx
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