Little Earth School (60)/Interim Report

Interim Report
http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/get_interim1112.php?team_id=60

Problem Definition
We think the problem is polluting, but we are not 100% sure. Another problem is the coral is dying and the fish are moving. This is affecting the turtles by giving them less food. Another problem is that the ocean is rising. By rising,the ocean sweeps away turtles eggs and nesting grounds.

Plan for solving problem computationally
We are creating a model in Starlogo that shows turtles, eggs, food,and the best possible outcome for our turtles.

Description of the progress we have made to this point
So far we have done research on the sea, predators,the affects of global warming on the turtles, and their habitat. Also we have made a beach setting in the spaceland. It includes grass and turtle agents. Eventually, we will have egg agents, but we do not yet.

The results we expect to get
We expect to get the result of the turtles hatching eggs, getting back to sea, have the baby turtles hatch, have THEM get back to sea, and also eat.

Resources we have used

 * 1) www.seaworld.org/infobooks/seaturtle/home.html
 * 2) www.seaturtle-world.com
 * 3) www.seaturtles.org
 * 4) www.defenders.org
 * 5) www.kidsnationalgeographic.com

Interim Comments
Hello Team 60. My name is Shane Wilson and i will be reviewing your interim report. As an interim report reviewer, its my job to help you make your project better by telling you what you need to work on for both the preliminary presentations in February, and the Expo.

So just a little about me: I am a Junior in Mechanical Engineering at New Mexico Tech. I am focusing on explosives engineering, and am currently working on a project for the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Facility (EMRTC). I will be working this summer as an engineering management intern for Peabody Energy, where i will be helping organize and oversee various projects.

I see that the team has been researching, that is good. Have you talked to any experts about the turtle problem? How about Zoologists and Biologists? Your interim report doesn't show that you have any mentors. Does your team have a mentor? If so, who?

I see that the team has started working on an agent based model. I am interested in the rules and boundary conditions that you are going to apply to the world. With that said i do have a few questions about your model and the direction you plan on going with it. What will govern the turtles and other agents movements? How are you going to model the more abstract issues in your project; like pollution and global warming?

As you get more and more modeling completed, it IS essential that you explain the reasoning about all of your modeling, as well as the details behind your project. Remember that no one knows your project like you do, and it is your job to give as much information as possible to judges and other people that you will be presenting to. Be sure to include your references and where you got ideas, and to explain any mathematical modeling that you might have.

Later this month are the preliminary presentations, be ready for them!

I am really excited about the work of this team! Keep up the hardwork.

-Shane Wilson