Jackson Mid School (52)

The Jackson Middle School team (#52) is from Albuquerque. This year they've submitted a project titled Grey wolves protection.

Team Members

 * Michael Thai
 * John Moore

Sponsoring Teacher

 * Karen Glennon

Proposal
http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/get_proposal1112.php?team_id=52

We are going to study animal habitat destruction so we can help animal depletion so we wont lose most animals we have today. Sadly we cant stop natural destruction .We will do research about habitat destruction so far and try to figure out an idea for our program and make a better place for animals and to help the future of earth itself. We will use Starlogo and program a simulation to make a representation for the habitats.

Interim Report
http://mode.lanl.k12.nm.us/get_interim1112.php?team_id=52

Grey Wolves have been nearly extinct since the 1900's after being over hunted and population problems. Even though the Grey wolves have been in captivity there are still threats of extinction. We can solve this by letting the majestic wolves wonder freely in an area that they wouldn't get hurt and/or killed. I have made the model of what the past held for the wolves and I have all the research done. I hope by the time I'm done I want to show the future for the wolves in their space and be able to persuade people why it's important to save these both mean and generous creatures.

my sites are

 * 1) http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/mexican_wolf.php © Copyright 2011 Defenders of Wildlife  1130 17th Street NW | Washington, DC 20036  1-800-385-971 11/14/2011
 * 2) http://www.canids.org Copyright © 2005 by the IUCN/SSC Canid Specialist Group. All rights reserved.
 * 3) http://www.canids.org/species/Grey_wolf.pdf
 * 4) 5.2 Grey wolf Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758 Least Concern (2004)
 * 5) L.D. Mech and L. Boitani Updated: 24 November 2008
 * 6) http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/360978/the_grey_wolf_habits_and_habitat.html Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! Lifestyles Network. All rights reserved. 11/28/11
 * 7) “Gray Wolves” by John E Becker produced by “THOMSON GALEZ” 2004 by KidHaven Press. KidHaven Press is an imprint of The Gale Group Inc. ,a division of Thomson Learning, Inc.
 * 8) Gray wolves by Jill Bailey © 2005 Heinman Library Chicago, Illinois.

Interim Comments
from Patricia Meyer

John and Michael,

In reading your opening statement of the problem, you say that wolves can be saved by what looks like a preserve for them. Are you suggesting the whole United States could function as the preserve or are you talking about a specific location?

Your reviewer suggests you may want to add other variables to the model/simulation, what variables are you using now? What has your research shown that is the reason for the decline? Are you collecting any data from your model and using sliders to look at varying what influences what? That might make your simulation more dynamic than static.

In thinking about your presentation later this month,show them what you have learned. Talk to them in terms of variables, using research to document. What did your model show you that your research did not? Any new realizations? Research doesn't always lead to conclusions we expect.

Introduction
Hello Team 52!

I am a sophomore at New Mexico Tech and i am pursuing a degree in computer science. I decided to major in computer science because i was interested in how computers work, and

i want to learn how to use them to create solutions for complex problems. I currently work in my department as a student researcher for EPSCoR. Someday i want a career

in a workshop, programming robots.

I have been involved in programs similar to Challenge/GUTS in previous years, however this is my first year on the feedback team.

Progress
Based upon your interim submission, i understand that your group intends to create an accurate model depicting the declining population of the grey wolf. You have performed some research and generated a model. Saving this species is a noble goal which will pique some interest due to the fact that its natural habitat spans a greater portion of the nation, yet it is listed as an endangered species.

Here are some questions to think about:

What dataset are you using to model the grey wolf population and what is the source of data?

What are the specific climate conditions which inhibit the population growth of the grey wolf? Will these variables be included in your model?

What is the type of model you are using?

What outcome will be the turning point in determining a good outcome for the grey wolf population? in other words, What figures determine your mission to be accomplished?

Mentors
I didn't find a specific mentor in your proposal. Does your team have one?

Model
The model is intended to depict how the gray wolf population has declined over the last century.

This model has the potential to predict the outcomes of several different situations if the factors inhibiting population growth can be named and isolated. It can be used to show how we can make a difference by changing the environment in which they live!

Ultimately, the conclusions drawn from your model can be how habitat changes have impacted the gray wolf population and what can still be done to improve the situation.

Face to Face Evaluation
Remember that you will have a face-to-face evaluation later this month!

Utilize this Judges' rubric used for for the Expo judging, in April, to organize your posts.

Good Luck!