A quiet revolution – the science of complex systems
Activities
Artificial Life Virtual Lab (Monash University, Australia)
Cellular automata – a tutorial on cellular automata, including the ‘Game of life’ and a set of exercises.
Fractals and scale – a tutorial on fractals and scale, including examples and exercises.
L-Systems – a tutorial on L-systems, including examples and exercises.
Serendip (USA)
The world of Langton's ant – an interactive exhibit that explores some basic notions of complex systems.
Centre for Polymer Research (Boston University, USA)
Patterns in nature – students explore how small random events create patterns in nature.
Science NetLinks (USA)
Evaluating mathematical models – students use the internet to evaluate a variety of mathematical models.
The cell as a system – students review cell structures and investigate how the components of a cell operate as a system.
The bicycle as a system – students explore the nature of systems by examining the systems that make a bicycle work.
Northwestern University (USA)
Integrated simulation and modelling environment – students simulate the phenomenon that they are studying involving interacting elements. Simulations include ‘Disease’, ‘Gridlock’ and the ‘Investor’. You will need to download the NetLogo software to use the simulations. User manuals are available.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA)
Introduction to StarLogo – students use the StarLogo software to explore the behaviour of systems, such as bird flocks, traffic jams, and ant colonies. The StarLogo software is free, but you need to register to download.
Page updated November 2006.