Abstract

Citation

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Cheng, A. K. (2023). 2001-Cheng-Teaching mathematical modelling in Singapore schools. SIMIODE, QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/9KE4-XJ87

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Article Context

Description

Cheng, Ang Keng. 2001. Teaching mathematical modelling in Singapore schools.  The Mathematics Educator. 6(1): 63-75. Published by Association of Mathematics Educators.

See https://repository.nie.edu.sg//handle/10497/49 . Accessed 27 March 2023.

From Introduction, “The purpose of this paper is to examine the possibility of introducing the teaching of mathematical modelling to the secondary school curriculum in Singapore. As well, the benefits of teaching and learning mathematical modelling are discussed. Examples to illustrate the process of mathematical modelling using only basic mathematical ideas and concepts are presented. These serve to illustrate that school mathematics can be used to provide experiences of the process of mathematical modelling in the classroom. Some implications on the teaching and learning of mathematics using such an approach are examined and discussed.”

Of interest to us is the attempt to model a Barnacle Goose population using the logistic model. Data is given in a plot, and the source of the data is this article:

Armson, R., J. M. Cockroft, and J. A. R.  Stone. 2000. Modelling a barnacle goose population. Teaching Mathematics and Its Applications. 19(2): 74-82.

See https://academic.oup.com/teamat/article-abstract/19/2/74/1672707?redirectedFrom=fulltext . Accessed 27 March 2023.

This paper explores a number of models for the growth of a barnacle goose population. These geese spend their summers breeding in Spitsbergen and then winter in Caerlaverock on the Solway Firth. The population growth is modelled using exponential models and a variety of logistic models. The paper shows how each of the growth phases in the post-war history of this population can be related to conservation measures. Microsoft Excel spreadsheets have been used to find appropriate parameters for each of the models. The paper, and the student project it is based on, exemplify the use of modelling to generate understanding of the processes represented by raw data.

KEYWORDS: modelling, teaching,  barnacle goose, population, differential equation, logistic, data