In the Winter 1999 @Concord.Org, we ran an article on using AgentSheets. The article made the case for modeling in general and then illustrated the points with simple population models created in AgentSheets. The examples in that article and some additional AgentSheets materials are available here.

Pop1 is the simplest population model. If the initial population doesn’t die out, it grows exponentially.

Pop2 incorporates the idea that exponential growth always must end. By adding only a simple clause, births happen only if there is free space near the mother. This results in a stable, but crowded population.

Pop3 adds a way of recording the population. The full impact of exponential growth cannot be appreciated without this, because the software slows down as the population grows.

Moose is a more complex model that involves moose migrating in and out of a reserve, hunters, and more. Your goal is to understand what conditions produce a stable population.

You can:

• Read the @Concord.Org article:
  "Monday's Lesson: Technology-Enhanced Exercises for the Classroom - Using AgentSheets"

• Run programs mentioned in the article as applets- no AgentSheets software required.
  Pop1 | Pop2 | Pop3 | Moose

• Run programs using source files- Agentsheets software required (for Macintosh only).
  Pop1 | Pop2 | Pop3 | Moose | Download Software | Quick Software Instructions