Simulations
There is a plethora of suitable simulations available on the internet so we have put the links to many of these in one place. Simulations can provide opportunities for students to explore concepts at their own pace and “play” with data. Clicking on the link will take you to the simulation but lots of these sites have their own worksheets to go along with them. Please do suggest if you know of some good ones we can add to the list.
Check out our advice on designing your experimental approach in ESS.
Topic | Subtopic | Simulation and link | Description |
| 1 | 1.2.9 | Creating a new planet | Would serve as a good introduction to the whole course and systems thinking |
| 2 | 2.2.4 | Photosynthesis | Great visual simulations for photosynthesis labs |
| 2 | 2.2.15 | Food web simulations | Students can explore how removal and addition of species affects food web balance |
| 2 | 2.2.18 | Biomagnification | Explores the build up of DDT in the environment |
| 2 | 2.1.17 | Lincoln Index (tadpoles) Lincoln index with field voles | Uses a population of tadpoles/voles to explore the use of the Lincoln index to estimate population size |
| 2 | 2.2.12 | Population growth | Population growth, growth rate and carrying capacity concepts are explored in this model. |
| 2 | 2.2.12 | Population Growth | produces data for population size over time for three different species in a simple food chain |
| 2 | 2.2.12 | Hunting Season Game | Dynamics of populations with tragedy of the commons |
| 2 | 2.1.16 |
| Students can use the model to improve their understanding of how to sample two different habitats. |
| 2 | 2.2.28 | Barnacle competition | fundamental and realised niches of two species of barnacles, Chthamalus and Balanus. |
| 2 | 2.3.9/10 | Ocean Carbon | An interactive which students can use to explore how the ocean acts as a carbon sink |
| 3 | 3.1.4 | Natural selection | Using rabbits, wolves and limited food to explore the concept of natural selection. There are extra teacher resources available |
| 3 | 3.1.11 | Trade off’s with selection | A fun activity involving guppies to understand more about selection pressure |
| 3 | 3.1.13 | Peppered moths | A very well known example of peppered moth selection pressure is explored in this model |
| 3 | 3.1.5 | Natural Selection | explores the survival of prey species individuals based on their traits and environment |
| 3 | 3.1.18 | Simpson’s Diversity Index | The model produces a community which students can use to calculate biodiversity |
| 3 | 3.2.7 | Tragedy of the commons | This model uses a common pasture on which four farmers are grazing cattle, and collecting milk each day. Students can explore what happens if farmers start to add too many cows |
| 4 | 4.4.13 | River water quality investigations | Lots of different investigations in this model including some chemical simulations you could use. |
| 4 | 4.4.13 | Using indicator species to measure water pollution | Students use a virtual stream and the macroinvertebrates which live there to measure water pollution |
| 5 | 5.1.20 | Soil texture diagram practice | A simple exercise where students can calculate percentages of sand, silt and clay in a soil sample to work out types of soil |
| 6 | 6.1.14 | Greenhouse effect | Simple simulation of how the greenhouse effect works |
| 7 | 7.1.1 | resources used to make everyday items | This would serve as a good introduction to topic 7. It’s less of a simulation and more of a interactive guide. |
| 7 | 7.2.8 | How much coal does it take to power your home? | Students can explore the effect of using a range of household appliances and then amplify that effect over entire countries. |
| 8 | 8.3.1 | Air pollution | This simulation helps students understand the factors affecting the severity and prevalence of air pollution |
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