Abstract for:Teaching Biology With Systems Models

Biological systems are dynamic systems. Students experimenting with system dynamics models is an excellent way for students to examine the complex behaviors of biological systems. I have designed over 50 interfaces of Stella models that have been run hundreds of thousands of times by users across the world. These interfaces represent a rich variety of the high school and undergraduate biology curriculum. I will show participants how my students regularly explore feedback, self-regulation, and emergence by manipulating system dynamics models. Additionally, in my classroom, I scaffold authentic laboratory experiences with teaching the students how to design and test controlled experiments.