A model-based inquiry approach to explore system dynamics and modeling aspects of the prey-predator system

The purpose of this paper is to present how a model-based inquiry approach could support the development of students' conceptual understanding about the prey-predator system and cognitive skills. In so doing, we developed a sequence of activities, which involve three cycles of scientific inquiry. The first cycle involves, among others, playing a role-playing game of a prey-predator system, whereas the second cycle involves developing and running a model (i.e., a simulation) of the prey-predator system on a computer. The third cycle follows after the enactment of the first two cycles and it involves comparing the role-playing game to the computer simulation, in an attempt to identify differences concerning the modelling process and system dynamics applied in each of the former two cycles, as well as to identify and discuss nature-of-science related issues within the context of the prey-predator system. The whole approach has been designed for upper secondary school students, but with some adaptations it could also be used for lower secondary education or even the last grades of the primary school.