Working with STELLA.....

Note:  This blog post by Mike Gregory describes his classroom experience with STELLA, a digital modeling software available at Pinedale Middle and High School.  You can check out demonstrations of how this software can be used in Science, Math, Social Studies, and Language Arts here.  If you are interested in using STELLA software with your students, please contact Glen Egbert.

Working with STELLA…

Although it may sound like I am referring to a 75-year old woman, STELLA is actually a very dynamic and powerful piece of modeling software specifically designed for education and research. After an introduction to the software from our very own Glen Egbert I wanted to try it out in the classroom, so Glen and the tech department made it happen.

After running trials with the software and looking through tutorials and demos on the www.iseesystems.com website, I decided to run a trial application with the AP Biology kids in a  basically open exploration format. I provided an overview of the major elements and the interface, an exercise analyzing a demo model, and said “Go” – with the objectives being:

1.) to create a population model that followed basic exponential growth

2.) to introduce a limiting factor or resource into the model that influences the population in some significant way

Two-and-a-half days later I had models from every student that satisfied both objectives and left all wanting to continue working to get a more realistic result. The following is one student’s model map (this model can be run and generate outcome data using the STELLA software):

Click on the image to enlarge.

Although errors in mathematic computation setups kept a couple students from reaching a realistic numeric and graphic representation of what really happens in biotic systems, with a little more guidance I believe any student  can get there. The next step is to create a more extensive student “getting started” guide and roll this tool out  to other classes with a diverse variety of learners and see what we can create. Not bad for a 75-year lady, huh?

M. Gregory