We are going to have a free cut on the 16th of July as I will be out of town. To ensure you have a productive time, here is an assignment that I hope will challenge and entertain you.
It's called ARTIFICIAL LIFE.
Instructions (per group)
1. Search the Internet for simple simulation freeware. There are many; these include Framsticks, PhyloStrat, Simulistics, Boppers, Game of Life, etc. I recently found a good one (demonstrations.wolfram.com) which features thousands of simulations. For example, the Predator-Prey demo, a rather good model for rabbits and foxes, and viruses. You'll need to install the free Mathematica Player for this. These programs were designed as research tools to experiment on various aspects of life such as metabolism, ecological interaction, and evolution. SimCity and other such "games" are not allowed.
2. Study the documentation and examples. Play around a little. This playing part should take up more than half your time!
Then design and carry out an experiment in that virtual world.
a) What is/are the questions you would like to answer? Typical questions include "what if" (e.g. what would happen if I adjust the growth rates of predator and prey just so?); "what model explains" (e.g., the algae experiment); "compare and contrast" (e.g., which is better, grass tea or wheat tea for growing paramecium); and "classification and patterns" (e.g., how many kinds of general growth curves are there).
b) What is your tentative answer?
c) What experiment can you do to prove your answer is wrong? What data will prove you wrong?
d) In case your experiment proves your answer wrong, test other answers.
e) Right or wrong, prove everything with data.
3. Have me approve your problem first. Give me also a short description of the program and your approach. You may submit this as a comment on this blog.
3. Groups may use the same software, but they can not answer the same problems.
4. Each group will make a presentation on the 23rd July that will cover:
a) Introduction. Background and significance (yes, your problem should have significance) of the problem. Background of the software. Summary of the experiment and its results.
b) Methods and Materials
c) Data
d) Discussion. Includes possible weak points about your approach.
e) Conclusion and proposals for future work.
4. Not everyone has to speak; but everyone has to work.
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