SImulation Report

1. FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
SBI 3013
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN BIOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT TITLE : SIMULATION BY STELLA SOFTWARE
Prepared by :-
LECTURER’S NAME :-
ENCIK AZMI IBRAHIM
NAME MATRIC NUMBER
NABILA ALIYA BINTI SHAHROL D20152071968
SITI NOR AMIRA MOHD AZLI D20152071969
SITI QHALILAH RADIN D20152071984

2. TABLE OF CONTENT
No. Title Page Number
1.0 Introduction to Simulation 2
2.0 Model simulation of biological control in the palm ecosystem by 3
STELLA software
2.1 Results 4-5
2.2 Discussion 6
3.0 Importance of simulation in learning process 7
4.0 Simulation in future learning 8
5.0 Conclusion 9
References 10

3. 1.0 Introduction to Simulation
In a wider sense, simulation means imitation. It is a representation of the functioning of a
system or process. Application of this simulation have been used since thousands of years to
train, explain and entertain. Nowadays, we are getting good at using simulation with the help
of computers and technology. However, computer power does have its limitation, thus, the
simulation are deliberately emphasize one part of reality at the expenses of the other parts.
Through simulation, a model may be implanted with unlimited variations, producing
complex scenarios. These capabilities allow analysis and understanding of how individual
elements interact and affect the simulated environment. When we heard of stimulation, most of
us will think of aeroplane stimulation, that is exactly it is. For example, a flight simulator is a
device that artificially re-creates aircraft flight and the environment in which it flies, for pilot
training, design or other purposes. It includes replicating the equations that govern how aircraft
fly, how they react to applications of flight controls, the effects of other aircraft systems and
how the aircraft reacts to external factors such as air density, turbulence, wind shear, cloud
and precipitation.
There are three types of simulations; live, virtual and constructive. A simulation can be
a combination of two or more style. Usually, simulation can be science-based or involve
interactions with humans. For live simulations, it normally involve human or equipment and
activity in a setting where they would operate for real. Military training events using real
equipments are the example of live stimulation. They are considered live stimulationss
because they are not conducted against a live enemy.
In virtual simulations, it involves real people operating simulated system. A flight
stimulator is included in this category. Constructive simulations typically do not involve humans
or any equipment as participants. Rather than by time, they are more driven by the proper
sequencing of events. The anticipated path of hurricane might be constructed through
application of temperatures, pressures, wind currents and other weather factors. Most of
science-based simulation are constructive in nature.
Stella, is a software that can be used to develops simulations needed in an easy way
by the educators. Besides that, Stella models provide endless learning opportunities to be
explore and observe what will happen next, inspiring an exciting momments or learning. Stella
models also support diverse learning styles with a wide range of storytelling features.
Diagrams, charts, and animation help visual learners discover relationships between variables
in an equation

4. 2.0 Model simulation of biological control in the palm ecosystem by Stella software
This model represents the simulation of biological control agents that had been
performed in palm ecosystem using owl to control the rats .Palm oil is one of Malaysia's
largest agricultural export and contribute well for this country’s economy. The
production of the palm oil is depends on some factor which one of the factor is . the
presence of pests, rodents, will caused a negative impact on the production of oil
resources in the ecosystem. Therefore, this study focuses on the use of biological
control methods using owl to ensure that the rat population in palm oil plantations are
at a minimum using simulation by Stella software. From this simulation, we are able to
observe the relationship between rats and production of oils and also the relationship
between rat and owls. (Azmi Ibrahim & et al, 2015).
Diagram 2.0: Model simulation which shows the relationship between the owl, rats
and palm production.

5. 2.1 Results of simulation and modelling using Stella software
Figure 2.1 (a): Original graph of population of rats, owl and production of palm
Description: 1) The number of rat population = 15000 rats
2) The number of owl population = 10 owls
3) Production of palm = 207,000,000.00
Description: 1) The number of rat population = 25000 rats
2) The number of owl population = 5 owls
3) Production of palm = Low
Figure 2.1 (b): Graph of high population of rats with low population of owl and effects on
production of palm.

6. Figure 2.1 (c): Graph of low population of rats with high population of owl and effects on
production of palm.
Description: 1) The number of rat population = 15000 rats
2) The number of owl population = 15 owls
3) Production of palm = High
Figure 2.1 (d) : Table of number population for owl, rats and production of palm in the
ecosystem.

7. 2.2 Discussion
Model simulation of biological control in the palm ecosystem by Stella software shows
the relationship between the rats, owl as the agents of biological control and the
production of palm. The prototype model successfully demonstrates the balance of this
ecosystem between the three entities involved in the study. (Azmi Ibrahim Zuraidy
Adnan, Khairul Annuar Abdullah, Mohd Fahmi Mohamad Amran & Nor Azliana Akmal
Jamaludin, 2015). Biological control refer to the use of a pest's natural predators in
controlling their populations in order to minimize their impact on economic and
environmental practices. Based on this stimulation, owl has been used as biological
control agents to reduce the damage of palm production.
Based on the graph obtained 2.1 (a), we can observed there are 15000
population of rats, 15 owls and produce 207,000,000.00 of palm. For the second graph,
2.1 (b), when the data was manipulated in which there are high population of rats with
25 000 rats and low population of owls caused low production of palm. In the other
hand, for the graph 2.1 (c), we can observed that when there are low population of rats
and high population of owls caused high production of palm. In addition, based on the
table obtained from this stimulation also, we can observed that the production of the
palm is depends on the population of the rats while the rats population depend on the
number of owl population.
From this result, we can conclude that these three organisms are related to
each other by food chain that had happen in the ecosystem. Food chains are formed
by the producer and consumers. In this study, the producer referred to the palm,
followed by rats as primary consumer and secondary consumer which is the owl. The
food chain in the ecosystem can be represented by the diagram below:-
From the food chain, we can see the relationship between them in which if the
numbers of rat increase , the palm production will decreasing, but the population of
owls will increasing.If the rat population decrease, the production of palm will
increasing.In a conclusion, a food chain is a way of depicting the flow of energy from
one organism to the next and to the next and so on and shows the relationship
between organism in an ecosystem which depends on each other.
Diagram 2.2: Food chain in palm ecosystem

8. 3.0 Importance of simulation in learning process
Simulation can be very much of helps in the process of teaching and learning in the
class. First of all, simulation can encourage and increase students motivation to learn
something new in the class. Denton’s 1994 study supports the motivational power of
simulation. By using simulation such as Stella, students are given the opportunities to
explore and experience with the situation they could not work directly with in real life
due to several factors such as time consuming, dangerous and costly. Since
simulations can recreate experiences, a research shows that people, especially adults
learn better by experiences than through reading or lectures . Simulated experiences
can be just as valuable training tool as the real thing.
A simulator usually use any combination of sound, sight, motion and smell to make
us feel that we are actually experiencing the situation. This make the learning become
much more intresting and this kind of learning is usually is hard for us to forget.
Simulations promote concept of learning through experiential practice which help
students understand more on the concepts. They find them more engaging in the
activities as they experience the activity first hand, rather than hearing or watching
about it.
Besides, simulation helps us to do prediction by manipulating the data involve in
the situation. Simulations help students to change parameter values and see what
happens. Students develop a feel for what variables are important and the significance
of magnitude changes in parameters. As for this Stella simulation, we study what
happens on the palm ecosystem when we have high population of rats and low
population of owl. Then, we change the parameter and study the effects of palm
ecosystem if we have low population of rat and high population of owl.
Apart from that, simulation promotes the use of critical and evaluative thinking in
which the situation feels real and thus leads to more engaging interactions by learners.
For instances, for medical students, they need to practiced the skills they learn and
acquired in order for them to be prepared to face the real situation. Thus medical
simulation creates the environment that allows these skills to put into practices. This
simulation would situate students into real world conditions in which they would be
expected to perform

9. 4.0 Simulation in future learning
Simulation based-learning has a future in the world of education as our world are
moving fast forward towards the era of computer and technology. Thus, simulation is
one of the best alternative way to engage the students in teaching and learning
process as the students nowadays are more intrested in technologies and gadgets.
Some of the top local universities in Malaysia such as Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi Petronas are
aware of the facts. These universities have incorporated simulation into their learning
syllabus to help the country to produce the necessasry skilled labor. However, most of
these universities do not make it as a must take subjects; hence many students just
take it easy and they pass through school without being exposed to it.
Though, simulation based-learning might seem like a waste of time and money to
the governments but it is considered a good investment for a better futur for our
children. The future of teaching and learning process can excel better with the help of
simulations.
5.0 Conclusion
Simulation is a highly effective tool that is highly effective in helping students develop
the higher learning levels of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. This will help students
be better to prepared to handle the decisions they will face in the reals world.
Simulation will be the point of development in the world of eduction in future since our
world are involving better towards computer and technology.
In conclusion, simulation is a powerful and effective tools for either educators to be
used in their teaching and learning process or company for their company benefits.
Simulation like Stella software should be used more often in teaching process to allows
the students to manipulate the different parameters in the models and study the
knowledge or concepts in different perspective. Stimulations helps student to gain new
knowledge, applied the knowledge and engage more in the teaching and learning
process in the class.

10. References :
Azmi Ibrahim Zuraidy Adnan, Khairul Annuar Abdullah, Mohd Fahmi Mohamad Amran & Nor
Azliana Akmal Jamaludin. January 2015. Comparison of empirical and simulated prey-
predator models in biological control technique. Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering
Science and Technology (JMEST) 2, (1) , 274-278. Retrieved from
http://www.jmest.org/wp-content/uploads/JMESTN42350397.pdf
James M. Sottile & Jr. Dallas Brozik. 2004. The use of simulations in a teacher education
program. Journal of Hawaii International Conference On Education. Retrieved from
http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED490383.pdf
Lateef, F. (2010). Simulation-based learning: Just like the real thing. Journal of Emergencies,
Trauma and Shock, 3(4), 348–352. http://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2700.70743
Nico Rutten. 2010. Teaching with stimulations. Retrieved from
http://doc.utwente.nl/93718/1/thesis_N_Rutten.pdf
Teresa Coffman. 2006. Using simulations to enhance teaching and learning: Encouraging the
creative process. Journal of Virginia Society for Technology in Education. 21 ( 2) . 1-7.
Retrieved from http://vste.org/documents/vj_2006_02.pdf
Zuraidy Adnan, Azmi Ibrahim, Khairul Annuar Abdullah, Nor Azliana Akmal Jamaludin & Mohd
Fahmi Mohamad Amran.2015. Long term effects using biological control in palm-oil
ecosystem. International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research. 3(4).
Retrievedfromhttps://ijair.org/administrator/components/com_jresearch/files/publication
s/IJAIR-1202_final.pdf