1. Modelling with variables

2. Question… Name three types of bird food you can think of. e.g. sunflower seeds, peanuts, suet balls what if this was the only bird food in the feeders, what difference would it make on, type of birds attracted, cost, mess, etc?

3. In this lesson students are learning about: scenarios, variables and models analysing a brief

4. At the end of this lesson students will be able to: describe modelling identify different types of variables describe the importance of modelling for informed decisions / recommendations

5. The Brief - tasks Look at the “Bags-4-Birds” brief 5 minutes You have already learnt skills for tasks 1 and 3. for task 1, you should know about resources tables and internet searches for task 3, you should know about creating a digital product.

6. Question… What software are you likely to use for the three tasks?

7. Spreadsheet SoftwareBrowser Search Engine Presentation Software Task 3Task 1Task 2

8. Modelling look at task 2, Have you ever heard of “Modelling”? If so, in what contexts? Not just ‘glamorous people showing off latest fashions’ but also architects building models of buildings, designers building models (of new cars, ships, planes) and using simulators, IT professionals and users using emulators.

9. Why is modelling useful? Why modelling is useful? to experiment with options, to see what impact one change has on the whole, to test or perfect a final product or solution – before actually going ahead with a project (including producing clothes).

10. Presenting information Look at task 3, Your recommendations need to be well founded and modelling will help you to do that.

11. In Summary then… Modelling allows people to work through different scenarios: ‘What if I change …’ Here is an example….

12. I want to save energy. What are my options? The owner wants to save energy – what are the options? What if the owner changes the light bulb? How much energy would this save? What if the owner replaces the manual switch with a motion sensor? How much energy would this save? What other options does the owner have? Model 4: buy new light with integrated sensor. Reality check: What if the owner has a budget of just £5.00? Constraints, e.g. budgets, can limit modelling.

13. I want to save energy. What are my options? What if … … I …. ? = Model 1 = Model 2 = Model 3 = Model 4 = Model 5 … I change the light bulb? … I fit a sensor? … I change the bulb and fit a sensor? + … the budget is a maximum of £5?

14. Variables…. A variable is something that is not fixed yet part of a whole. In the example of the external light, the variables are: (1) light bulbs (types and wattage) (2) switches (and sensors) (3) the budget Modelling is based on ‘Scenarios’ for which you need at least one variable, and you need more than two models or sets of data as, without comparisons, you do not know what the best or preferred solution is.

15. I want to save energy. What are my options? What if … … the budget is £?? … I fit a sensor? …??? = Model 1 = Model 2 = Model 3 = Model 4 = Model 5 … I change the light bulb? … I change the bulb and fit a sensor? Scenarios Variables min £ - £ max ???

16. In summary… task 2 is about creating a Spreadsheet that allows users to change variables and thus create multiple models. ‘modelling’ and ‘models’ (task 2) are important for making informed recommendations (task 3). If the Brief had been about the outside light, your work might look like this.

17. Data & Sources Table Spreadsheet Sw Overview Chart Browser Search Engine Presentation Sw Recommendations (5 slides) Energy saving light bulbs, sensors & other devices What if … Model 1 Baseline: What if … Model 2 What if … Model 3 + Energy consumption What if … Model 4 …??? What if … Model 5 Budget: £5 max

18. Variables in the Brief Can you spot the variables in the task? Read through paragraph 2 on the second page of the brief… Are the two figures (£500.00 and £100.00) variables?

19. Answer… the two figures are not absolute values: the first is an upper limit, the second a lower limit. Supplies max £500.00 Donation min £100.00

20. Task…. 3 minutes Find some other variables…. Stall chargefixed£ 20.00 Weight of bagsbetween0.8 kg – 1.3 kg Sale price of bagsmax£ 3.99 number of bags Size of Suet balls

21. Bags-4-Birds What are my options? What if … …the budget is £500 max? … I put more in a bag? …I …. ? … I select another food? … I want to increase the donation? Variables min £ - £ max Scenarios weight 0.8 kg > 1.3 kg ???sale price no of bags

22. So…. it is up to each student individually to decide what they want to include, and then find ‘best buys’.

23. To summarise… sum up in your own words: Scenarios and modelling Variables in models Links between modelling and recommendations.

24. Homework Read the brief again Then….. Carry out some research into loose bird foods, short list five, and write down your reasons for selecting and rejecting particular foods.