Module 2 Lesson 2 - Math Basics for Modeling and the Water Pumping Base Model

Resource type

• Lesson Plan

Tools

• StarLogo Nova 2.0 (HTML5/JavaScript)

Tags

• water cycle
• evaporation
• math basics
• slider
• variable

Slide Deck

Teaching Summary

Getting Started 5 minutes

1. Review of the previous day’s lesson and concepts. Connection to today’s lesson.

Activity #1: Math Basics for Modelling 15 minutes

1. Review coordinates on a graph; connect coordinate system to Spaceland.
2. Create turtles in different quadrants of Spaceland and use new blocks to make turtles move in a specific direction.

Activity #2: Inspecting the Water Pumping Model 10 minutes

1. Identify familiar coding blocks
2. Decode model in pairs.
3. Optional:  connect prerequisite concept review from Lesson 1 to ask what is and is not reflected in the model.

Activity #3: Adding Slider for Evaporation Rate 15 minutes

1. Add a slider for evaporation rate.
2. Run an experiment using the evaporation slider.
3. Discuss the results and relate them to the hydrologic cycle.

Wrap-Up 5 minutes (Reflection)

1. Discuss limitations of the model and think of ways of improving it.

StarLogo Nova Models

• M2.L2.A2 (Water Pumping STARTER base model)
• M2.L2.A3 (Water Pumping STARTER base model with evaporation slider)

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