Math Insight

Communicating models project, part 2

Group members:
Total points: 1
Grading rubric

To earn credit, a project must meet the following criteria.

CriterionMetNot met
Each member successfully developed a model.
Successes and failures encountered in model communication are well articulated.
Project receives creditYESNO
Submitting project

Submit the following by the due date.

  1. This cover sheet
  2. For each model, include
    1. Answers to questions from part 1 of the project
    2. The original equations/diagram of the model
    3. The paragraph describing the model
    4. The equations/diagram constructed from the paragraph
  3. A summary of your conclusions in communicating the models.

Adapted from the ModelWorld component of the International Clinics on Infectious Disease Dynamics (ICI3D) Program, CC-BY International License.

In the second half of project, you will practice communicating and interpreting the models developed in the first half of the project.

  1. Form groups of 3 (or 4, if necessary). Pass your model equations/diagram to the person on your left. You will receive a model from the person on your right. On a separate sheet of paper, write down a description of this model, including as much detail as you can about all of the individual characteristics and processes of interest. You may include variable names, but do not include any equations. For example. you could write “population size (N)” but not “$dN/dt=rN$.” Do not ask the person who gave you the model any questions to clarify – your description should be based on their model alone.

  2. Pass your descriptive paragraph to the person on your left. You will receive a descriptive paragraph from the person on your right. On a separate sheet of paper, construct an equation or set of equations (as best you can) that represents your understanding of this system using this description. You might find it helpful to draw a diagram of the system first, and then write down a set of equations. Do this without asking either of the members of your group any questions to clarify their model or description.

  3. Pass the model equations/diagram that you just constructed back to the person who initially created the model (this is the person on your left if you're in a group of three). You will receive a version of your model from another group member. Compare their model to your model. In your group, take turns describing the original model equations/diagram and comparing it to the equations/diagram that another group member constructed. Are there aspects that your group consistently 'got right' in drawing the new model? Are there aspects of the model that consistently got 'lost in translation'?

    Discuss with your group and write up a brief summary of your conclusions. Be sure to include all 3 versions of each model (2 equations/diagrams and 1 paragraph) when you turn in your project.

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Math 2241, Spring 2023