Students explore science concepts and test hypotheses using our compost, roller coaster, pulley, and inclined plane simulations in our BioSphere and Model Comparisons projects.
The Compost Simulation allows students to explore how several factors, Moisture, Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio, and Particle Size influence decomposition in a compost. Students first create a physical compost in a soda bottle bio-reactor, then use the different aspects of the simulation to run quick experiments to learn the science they need to know to solve problems in their physical bio-reactors.
The Inclined Planes, Pulley, and Roller Coaster simulations provide students with opportunities to quickly run physics experiments to help them to solve a design challenge. The simulations allow students to be able to test many configurations with less measurement error in a shorter period of time. Unlike physical experiments, the simulations allows students to test their ideas under zero friction conditions and provide visuals of underlying phenomena, such as force vectors. These features help students to compare the patterns in these data to the “messier” data they collect in the real world during a physical experiment.
