Subject Area: Earth & Environmental Science, Biology

The Research Experience for Teachers Program /
http://www.cs.appstate.edu/ret

Computer Science Tools: NetLogo

Activity Title: “Using NetLogo to Explore Concepts of Air Pollution and Its Effects on Population” – Part 1

Grade Level: 9-12

Time Required: 60-90 minutes

Recommended Group Size: 1-2

Summary: Students will use the computer program NetLogo (free software available at http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/download.shtml) to explore the long term effects of birthrate, factories, pollution rate, and pollution treatment on the population.

Computer Science Connection: NetLogo and basic programing knowledge

Keywords: NetLogo, pollution, birthrate, pollution treatment mechanism, population, ecology

Pre-Requisite Knowledge: Basic knowledge of and/or experience with NetLogo

Educational Standard(s):

· (NC) EEn.2.2.1 – Explain the consequences of human activities on the lithosphere (such as mining, deforestation, agriculture, overgrazing, urbanization, and land use) past and present.

· (NC) EEn.2.5.5 - Explain how human activities affect air quality.

· (NC) EEn.2.7.3 - Explain how human activities impact the biosphere.

Learning Objectives: After this lesson students will be able to

· Explain how variables such as air pollution, birthrate, population, and treatment mechanisms affect the health and longevity of a human population

· Use logical reasoning to create the optimal balance between variables that affect pollution and longevity of a population

Materials List:

· Computer

· NetLogo Software

· Pollution Simulation (NetLogo)

· Pollution Simulation Lab Activity handout

Introduction:

Have students brainstorm about pollution. Then categorize the information into groups like “pollutants,” “population/people,” “health/wellbeing,” and “treatment or solutions.” (*This is a great opportunity to use a SMART Board or ActivBoard and any mind-mapping strategies.) Put students into groups of 1-2 and have each write down at least two hypotheses they have about pollution and its effects on the population. These hypotheses will then be tested in the NetLogo simulation.

Before the Activity:

1. Download NetLogo from http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/download.shtml to each student computer

2. Make sure students have basic knowledge of NetLogo from a previous lesson. This does not have to be extensive knowledge, but it should be enough to where they understand the basic parts of a NetLogo simulation, the Info tab, and the Code tab.

3. Before students begin using the simulation, the teacher might want to go over significant parts of the “Info tab” with the class. (ie. The various sliders and what they represent, which icons represent each element, etc.)

4. A quick review with the class about clicking on “setup” and then “go” each time the simulation is run might also be helpful.

Procedure:

1. Open the NetLogo Pollution Simulation.

2. Read the Pollution Simulation Info tab to learn how the various sliders, switches, and graphs work and what they represent. (The teacher may want to do this with the whole class before students begin the lab activity.)

3. Work in teams of 1-2 to complete the Pollution Simulation Lab Activity handout.

Assessment:

Each team will turn in completed Pollution Simulation Lab Activity handout.

Reference(s):

This simulation was originally called "Urban Suite - Pollution" and was one of the models included with NetLogo. It was modified by Jo Higgins (2014) of Thomasville High School to better suit high school science classes. Original credits are listed below.

· Felsen, M. and Wilensky, U. (2007). NetLogo Urban Suite - Pollution model. http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/UrbanSuite-Pollution. Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling, Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.

· Wilensky, U. (1999). NetLogo. http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/. Center for Connected Learning and Computer-Based Modeling, Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.

· http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/index.shtml

· http://cs.appstate.edu/ret/

· http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/docs/dictionary.html