FACULTY SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN SCIENCE

(SSI 3013)

MODELING AND SIMULATION OF STELLA SOFTWARE

INTAN SHAFARINA BT JEFRIDIN D20141067054

NURULWAFI BT JAMALI D20141067056

NUR HAFIZAH BT MOHAMMAD NOR D20141067067

LECTURER: DR. AZMI BIN IBRAHIM

GROUP A

SEMESTER 6

2017/2018
 INTRODUCTION

Depending on the context, modeling and simulation are often seen as a sub-set of
systems theory, control theory, numerical analysis, computer science, artificial intelligence or
operation research. Modeling is a process of producing a model in which the model itself is a
representation of the construction and working of some system of interest. The purpose of a
model is to enable the analyst to predict the effect of changes to the system. A model should
be a close approximation to the real system and incorporate most of its salient features. In
general, a model intended for a simulation study is a mathematical model developed with the
help of simulation software.

Meanwhile, simulation is a tool to evaluate the performance of a system, existing or

proposed, under different configurations of interest and over long periods of real time.
Simulation has been used in many fields, such as simulation of technology for performance
optimization, safety engineering, testing, training, education, and also video games. Often,
computer experiments are used to study simulation models.

Overall, modeling and simulation provide virtual duplication of products and

processes, and represents those products or processes in readily available and operationally
valid environments. A simulation will bring a model to life and shows how a particular object
or phenomenon will behave. It is very useful for testing, analysis or training where real-world
systems or concepts can be represented by a model.
 What is STELLA?

STELLA is a flexible computer modeling package with an easy, intuitive interface that
allow users to construct dynamic models that realistically simulate biological. Given the
combination of ease of use and modeling power, the STELLA system is ideal to interface with
students investigative experiences. In its basic forms, modeling in STELLA has three steps
which are constructing a qualitative model, parameterizing it, and exploring the model
dynamics. STELLA presents four model building blocks that are used in the modeling process
which are stocks, flows, connectors and converters.

The first step is to construct a model which is building a qualitative model, modelers
first define stocks. Stocks represent anything that can accumulate or change in number; in
example populations, biomass, nutrient content, water and others which are related to the
biological question of interest. In addition to tangible, physical accumulations, stocks can
represent degrees of non-physical entities such as knowledge.

Next, users construct links to variables that affect the size of the stocks. These are
usually direct inputs or outputs modeled using flows. For example in a population, births
would represent a flow into the population. The magnitude of these flows can be adjusted by
converters using links or be affected by the size of stocks in a density-dependent manner.

Next step is parameterizing the model. During this step, users will quantify the
relationships among elements in their model. STELLA allows both linear and non-linear
relationships to be expressed. Lastly is to explore model dynamics. This last step of the
modeling exercise is to explore the model output. Modelers generate output in tabular and/or
graphical form to explore quantitative or qualitative outcomes. Also, modelers can manipulate
parameters easily and perform sensitivity analysis.
 PREDICTIONS AND MOTIVATION

Using STELLA software, we can predict what will happen to our experiment if we
modify something. For example, in the experiment of simple population dynamics, we will
repeat the experiment with different value of the number of rats and owls in a palm oil plant.
With this, we will be able to predict what will happen next because we are used with the
changing of the value of the number population of rats and owls in this experiment. Learning
process will be more meaningful to us as we get to learn to do this on our own.

It is important too if we have a discussion about the use and results of simulations
among us to come out with the appropriate conclusions about what we have learned. In
addition, to make a prediction on the experiment we run can lead us to discuss our reasoning
as we argue for different predicted results. Exploring this type of simulations exposed us to
ideas that may be different from our own, and gives us an opportunity to experiment with
those ideas.

If we understand what exactly the experiment is all about, we will easily predict the
result of our experiment. With this, we know that learning through the STELLA software does
give a different vibes in the way we learn. We will not only learn based on what the teachers
said but learn with our own efforts to make the learning process interesting and useful for us.
This can be one of the ways to see whether we understand what we actually learn. If we get
what we learn, then we will easily predict the result or the graph of the experiment we
conducted. This prediction point can be one of the advanteges that we gain when we use the
STELLA software.
 ADVANTAGES OF SIMULATION

The main advantage of simulation is that it can avoid dangers and loss of life. This is
because the conditions can be varied and unpredictable in the real situations. It is important to
use the simulation as the critical situations can be investigated without any risk. Study the
effects of certain informational, organizational, and environmental and policy changes on the
operation of a system and significantly reduces the risk of experimenting with the real system.

Other than that, we can study the subject closely because when using the simulation it
can be slow down according to what we want. Another advantage is that we can obtain a
better understanding of the system by developing a mathematical model of a system of
interest, and observing the sytems operation in detail over long periods of time.

Using this STELLA software, the teaching and learning process becomes more
exciting and interesting. For an instance, we can get involve during the simulation. This
activity helps us to improve the soft skills and communication skills among us. Besides that,
we may be able to think and make prediction based on the situation that we have. This
simulation will motivates us in thinking and predict what will happen when we change the
parameter. As a conclusion, STELLA software is a best way for teaching and learning process
or to demonstrate concepts.

DISADVANTAGES OF SIMULATION

One of the disadvantages is the simulation results may be difficult to interpret. This is
because, since most of the simulation results are essentially random variables, it may be hard
to determine whether a result of system is an observation or just randomness. Moreover, the
simulation, modeling and analysis can be time consuming and expensive. An economizing on
resources for modeling and analysis may result in a simulation is not sufficient enough for the
problem. It is also may consume time, effort and money for nothing.

CONCLUSION

Modeling and simulation can be powerful active learning experiences. It provides virtual
dulication of products and processes and represent those products or processes in readily
available and operationally valid environments. It is also offering opportunity for students to
manipulate content knowledge in an active context which engage a variety of learning styles
and offers the opportunity to experiences the subject matter in a dynamic ways.
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Diagram 1.0

In the diagram 1.0, the following is the result of the minimum number of rats and
owls. There is a relationship between the number of owls and mice in the environment. Palm
is the leading manufacturer of mice and owls are biological control used in this experiment to
control the population of rats to test the amount of palm that has been damaged by rats (prey).
The y-axis are representing the years and the x axis representing the population of owl, rats
and the number in palms productions

In the beginning, the owl populations are put at the equal amount as the rats
populations, causing the competition in prey and predator are at the same pace. However, as
year are increasing, the rats populations are getting smaller in numbers causing the owl lacks
in food sources and their populations are decreasing and almost at the zero point. That
resulting in increasing in rats populations as there are no threat from the predator (owl) and
causing a bad influence in the number of palm production as years inflated.
 Diagram 1.1

By referencing to the Diagram 1.1, in the beginning, the numbers of rat populations
are being measures at minimum level and we raised the number of owl populations. The
experiment was run to observe if there are any changes in the palms productions regarding to
the changes in prey and predator populations.

In Graph 1.1, the observations that could be synthesizes are almost the same as the
Graph in Diagram 1.0. This is because even the number of owls populations has been raised
without changing the number of rats populations, as the populations of rats decreasing, the
owls (predator) will lose their sources of food as their number overcome the preys. The owls
will ends up searching for food in other area and or their number are shrinking due to other
factor.

This could be explained by the shape of the graph where in the beginning, there is a
rise in owls populations and causing the rats populations reaches zero. However, as the
numbers of predator (owls) are decreasing, the rats populations are continuously increase
because there are no threat from the predator. This resulting in the decreasing of palms
production.
 Diagram 1.2

In Diagram 1.2, the palms productions are tested when there is an increasing in rats
populations whereas the numbers of owl populations are keep in minimum values. Regarding
to theory, as already been discussed on previous diagrams, if there is a rise in food sources,
the number of predator will also increase because there a sufficient amount of food sources.
However, at some point, the number of predators will become equal to the number of prey. As
it continues, the number of predator will continue to increase because they have enough food
sources whereas the numbers of prey are decreasing. At this point, the predators will lose their
food sources and their numbers will be decreased. This will be resulting in the uptakes of
prey.

This could be determined by referencing to the Diagram 1.2 where we can see clearly
the relationship between the numbers of owl and rat populations and the correlations between
the prey and predators with the palms productions years to years. Because of the numbers of
prey-predators populations have their up and downs, the palms productions are not greatly
influenced and continue to grow.

References

Computer Simulation Modeling using STELLA to Enhance Investigative Learning in a Biology

Curriculum. Retrieved on April 13, 2017 from http://minerva.union.edu/rices/stella/stella_intro.html