Ecological Balance and Tipping
Engage mathematical, scientific and artistic thinking exploring the splendor of microbial, oceanic and terrestrial diversity in ecological balance. Together we will model, with code, the balancing and tipping in predator-prey interactions, microbial three-way ecologies based on a very simple rock-paper-scissors ecology, four-way ecologies, marine environments, and wolves, elk, and grass.
With our art projects, look deeply into the beauty of a kelp forest (with sea stars, sand dollars, urchins, and kelp), a mountain forest (with trees, grass, elk and wolves), and African mountain forests (with berry-eating Vervet monkeys.)
This video takes you through the process of creating an interactive ecosystem using Scratch code.
Use Scratch to model a population level Rock-Paper-Scissors ecosystem, with sliders to adjust variables. Plot population levels for the 3 species in the ecosystem.
Art appreciation – Ecology at the Edge of the Meadow
Takes you through the process of creating a computer drawing of a wolf’s head. You can download the below sketched outline, and use it during the lesson.
A model of wolves and elk in NetLogo
The focus of this drawing is a tree-like coral that has a repeating Y-shaped branching that is similar across scale.
Takes you through the process of creating a “tree coral” using the Scratch online computer program.
This video takes you through the process of creating a peaceful underwater scene using a computer drawing program. Download the below sketch to use as you proceed through the lesson.
This video takes you through the process of creating a computer drawing of a Vervet monkey as it plays in the treetop and nibbles berries.
