This model simulates the interaction of mutually beneficial between bees and sunflowers.

• Grades: 6-8;

• NGSS Standards: MS-LS2-2

Agents:

There are two types of agents: bees and sunflowers.

Model Rules:

1. There are 165 patches in the model. The nutrients in each patch may support and only support one sunflower plant.

2. Bees lose energy when they move around to search for flowers and die when running out of energy.

3. Bees gain energy when they find flowers and will produce offspring when they accumulate enough energy.

4. Bees pollinate the sunflowers, and only the pollinated flowers produce seeds.

5. Spraying Insecticide kills bees.

6. Urbanization reduces the area of sunflower patches.

CREDITS AND REFERENCES

Dr. Lin Xiang (lin.xiang@uky.edu) created this module at the University of Kentucky in 2022. If you mention this model in a publication, we ask that you include the citations below.

Xiang, L. (2022). Community Interaction: Mutually Beneficial. Department of STEM Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.