Model cooperation

The model cooperation is helpful in the context of education for sustainable development. Although it is an ecological model, it allows insights useful for human-environment systems.

If the model runs to slow try running it here

Use the model

Try to answer the following questions by adjusting the settings of the model world using the sliders:

• How many cooperative cows can live on the pasture?
• How many greedy cows fit on the pasture?
• Which cows in mixed housing dominate in the short term, and which cows dominate in a long time?
• What do you think is the best result you can yield with the model? Why?

Understand the model

Try to understand how the model works, and read the model info section to access the fundamental ideas.

• What is the difference between greedy and cooperative cows?
• Under which conditions does each of the breeds benefit? Why?
• What properties do the patches - the land fields of the model - have?

Prepare to present your model to your peers in a max of 5 minutes. You may cooperate with other groups working on the same model.

Interpreting the model

To become scientifically literate, students should learn to:

• identify questions
• acquire new knowledge
• explain scientific phenomena
• draw evidence-based conclusions

In consideration of these aims, please think about:

• A real-world scenario, the model can be interpreted for.
• An according research question that can be investigated by applying the model.
• The knowledge gained by applying the model.
• The evidence this knowledge is based on.

Prepare to present your considerations to your peers in a max of 5 minutes. You may cooperate with other groups working on the same model.