This resource shows the interaction between the Canadian lynx (a predator) and the snowshoe hare (prey). This simulation lets you observe changes in hypothetical populations of lynx and hares over multiple generations to demonstrate the interconnectedness of the two species in an ecosystem.

Building on their understanding of graphs, students are introduced to random processes on networks. They walk through an illustrative example to see how a random process can be used to represent the spread of an infectious disease, such as the flu, on a social network of students. This demonstrates how scientists and engineers use mathematics to model and simulate random processes on complex networks. Topics covered include random processes and modeling disease spread, specifically the SIR (susceptible, infectious, resistant) model.

Students reinforce their knowledge of the different parts of the digestive system and explore the concept of simulation by developing a pill coating that can withstand the churning actions and acidic environment found in the stomach. Teams test the coating durability by using a clear soda to simulate stomach acid.

Principles of thermal radiation and their application to engineering heat and photon transfer problems. Quantum and classical models of radiative properties of materials, electromagnetic wave theory for thermal radiation, radiative transfer in absorbing, emitting, and scattering media, and coherent laser radiation. Applications cover laser-material interactions, imaging, infrared instrumentation, global warming, semiconductor manufacturing, combustion, furnaces, and high temperature processing.

This unit is designed for advanced programming classes. It leads students through a study of human vision and computer programming simulation. Students apply their previous knowledge of arrays and looping structures to implement a new concept of linked lists and RGB decomposition in order to solve the unit's Grand Challenge: writing a program to simulate peripheral vision by merging two images. This unit connects computer science to engineering by incorporating several science topics (eye anatomy, physics of light and color, mathematics, and science of computers) and guides students through the design process in order to create final simulations.

In a simulation of potential future space missions to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, student teams are challenged to direct a robot placed in an enclosed maze to search for and find the most “alien life.” The robot is equipped with a camera to send a live feed of its surroundings in the maze. Students control the robot from outside the maze by looking at the live feed on a smartphone and using the robot’s remote control, making a map as they go. The student teams compete as if they are space agencies creating their own exploratory systems to meet the challenge’s criteria and constraints and prove “in the field” that they have the best plan to win the mission contract and get the job. This activity simulates the real-world research of scientists and engineers developing a robot with the capabilities to explore under the ice-covered surface of Europa.

This lesson explores the increase in energy use and cost due to a building expansion for an additional 150 students. The lesson was created by David Luety. It is developed for use with Sketchbox, a free building energy modeling tool that runs from a web interface and does not require a download. 

This is a short and fun mock trial to try with kids (and adults!) of any age. It is a criminal case that revolves around the testimony of the witnesses on each side. Concepts involved inculde:
• Criminal v. Civil Law
• Prosecution & Prosecutors
• Defense and Defendants
• Witnesses
• Telling the truth
• Understanding different perspectives
• Responsibility for actions
• Questioning (including direct and cross examination)
• Developing a theory or explanation of a case
• The roles of people in the courts

Students learn about how engineers design and build shake tables to test the ability of buildings to withstand the various types of seismic waves generated by earthquakes. Just like engineers, students design and build shake tables to test their own model buildings made of toothpicks and mini marshmallows. Once students are satisfied with the performance of their buildings, they put them through a one-minute simulated earthquake challenge.

Students modify a provided App Inventor code to design their own diseases. This serves as the evolution step in the software/systems design process. The activity is essentially a mini design cycle in which students are challenged to design a solution to the modification, implement and test it using different population patterns The result of this process is an evolution of the original app.

Students learn how engineering design is applied to solve healthcare problems by using an engineering tool called simulation. While engineering design is commonly used to study and design everything from bridges, factories, airports to space shuttles, the use of engineering design to study healthcare administration and delivery is a relatively new concept.

This lesson introduces Sketchbox™, a free energy modeling tool that calculates energy use in buildings. Sketchbox™ can run online from a Chromebook with no downloads needed. This activity is for those teaching in math, science, construction, HVAC, sustainability, or computer science. Online tutorials are available, and the platform is ideal for student exploration of building science and various careers ranging from architecture to engineering. Sketchbox was created by Slipstream—a nonprofit organization based in Madison, WI, and curriculum is from the Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education (CREATE).  

Students learn about contamination and pollution, specifically in reference to soil in and around rivers. To start, groups use light sensors to take light reflection measurements of different colors of sand (dyed with various amounts of a liquid food dye), generating a set of "soil" calibration data. Then, they use a stream table with a simulated a river that has a scattering of "contaminated wells" represented by locations of unknown amounts of dye. They make visual observations and use light sensors again to take reflection measurements and refer to their earlier calibration data to determine the level of "contamination" (color dye) in each well. Acting as engineers, they determine if their measured data is comparable to visual observations. The small-scale simulated flowing river shows how contamination can spread.

This simulation game has students determine if individuals are eligible for legal U.S residence. In the game, travelers will enter Immigration Bay in boats and the student will have to process them and determine if they meet eligibility requirements or not.

Instructor Notes: Teachers can assign this content to their students in iCivics account and then Clicking the Assign button on this activity. Teachers will then have the option to add a Class into iCivics OR Sync a roster from Google Classroom. This will allow teachers to see student's responses. There are also Downloadable Resources available to support this learning activity.

This interactive simulation offers a way for students to explore the connection between uniform circular motion and simple harmonic motion. The display shows two blocks on springs oscillating horizontally, and two balls traveling in uniform motion in a circular path. The user sets initial values for the blocks: amplitude, mass, and spring constant. The two balls are automatically set to the same values. Students are able to see that the circular motion of each ball corresponds to the motion of the blocks, thus promoting understanding of the basic equation for objects undergoing simple harmonic motion. To extend the learning, users can set values for the phase angles of each block. Also included by the author is a set of suggested activities to accompany the simulation. See Related Materials for an extensive online multimedia tutorial from PhysClips on the topic of simple harmonic motion. This applet was created with EJS, Easy Java Simulations, a modeling tool that allows users without formal programming experience to generate computer models and simulations.

Survey of optimization methods for management of water resources. Linear, integer, nonlinear, and dynamic programming illustrated with case studies. Applications include reservoir and irrigation development, conjunctive use of surface and groundwater, capacity expansion, and sustainable resource development. This subject is concerned with quantitative methods for analyzing large-scale water resource problems. Topics covered include the design and management of facilities for river basin development, flood control, water supply, groundwater remediation, and other activities related to water resources. Simulation models and optimization methods are often used to support analyses of water resource problems. In this subject we will be constructing simulation models with the MATLABĺ¨ programming language and solving numerical optimization problems with the GAMS optimization package.