Learning Ecology with VERA Using Conceptual Models and Simulations
Spencer Rugaber, Scott Bunin, Andrew Hornback, Sungeun An, Ashok Goel
TL;DR
VERA tackles the challenge of giving feedback on qualitative ecological conceptualizations by automatically translating student-created Conceptual Models into agent-based simulations executed in NetLogo. The approach combines a visual Conceptual Modeling Language with a dedicated compiler and a headless NetLogo engine, facilitating immediate evaluation of hypotheses without student coding. Key contributions include the VERA architecture, the Conceptual Modeling Language, a NetLogo VM subset, and classroom deployments with EOL data integration to seed parameters. The work demonstrates scalable, constructionist learning in ecology and shows how automated translation from ideas to executable simulations can enhance STEM education and scientific reasoning.
Abstract
Conceptual modeling has been an important part of constructionist educational practices for many years, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines. What is not so common is using agent-based simulation to provide students feedback on model quality. This requires the capability of automatically compiling the concept model into its simulation. The VERA (Virtual Experimentation Research Assistant) system is a conceptual modeling tool used since 2016 to provide introductory college biology students with the capability of conceptual modeling and agent-based simulation in the ecological domain. This paper describes VERA and its approach to coupling conceptual modeling and simulation with emphasis on how a model's visual syntax is compiled into code executable on a NetLogo simulation engine. Experience with VERA in introductory biology classes at several universities and through the Smithsonian Institution's Encyclopedia of Life website is related.