From computer to nature – Environmental education with simulation models

The educational software SINAS shows the influence of environmental conditions on the behaviour of individual animals and the emergent properties of populations.

Vom Computer zur Natur – Umweltbildung mit Simulationsmodellen
Detail from the learning software SINAS
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At the example of selected species of wild bees, butterflies and amphibians, interactions among individuals and between individuals and habitats are simulated.

Stimulation to act
The programme directs to students of the German Sekundarstufe II. The educational software can be used in seminars, on project days and for individual purposes. It motivates to undertake nature obser-vations of biodiversity indicators such as solitary bees, butterflies and amphibians, but it can also be used to derive appropriate conservation measures. The combination of theoretical methods like modelling, simulation and data analysis with options for the user‘s individual actions should motivate young people to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and to a sustainable and fair-minded use of natural resources.