INTRODUCTION

What is Stella?

STELLA (System Thinking for Education and Research) is a modeling software that includes
diagrams, charts and uses animations that help visual learners to discover relationships between
variables and helps simplify model building in a package. Stella has a ‘drag and drop’ modeling
interface, handles time series, sensitivity and simulation models well.

What is simulation?

Simulations are abstraction of reality in other words, mimicking the real situation. Often they
deliberately emphasize one part of reality at the expense of other parts. Sometimes this is
necessary due to computer power limitations. Sometimes it's done to focus your attention on an
important aspect of the simulation. Where models are mathematical, logical, or some other
structured representation of reality, simulations are the specific application of models to arrive at
some outcome.

TYPES OF SIMULATIONS

Simulation are generally come in three types: live, virtual and constructive. A simulation also
may be a combination of two or more styles. Within these styles, simulations can be science-
based (where, for example, interactions of things are observed or measured), or involve
interactions with humans.

1. Live simulations

Typically involve humans with equipment and activity in a setting where they would operate for
real. Like a war games with soldiers out in the field or manning command posts. Another
example of live simulation is testing a car battery using an electrical tester.

2. Virtual simulations

Typically involve humans and/or equipment in a computer-controlled setting. Time is in discrete

steps, allowing users to concentrate on the important stuff. A flight simulator is an example in
this category.

3. Constructive simulations

Typically do not involve humans or equipment as participants. Rather than by time, they are
driven more by the proper sequencing of events. The anticipated path of a hurricane might be
"constructed" through application of temperatures, pressures, wind currents and other weather
factors. Science-based simulations are typically constructive in nature.

A simulator is a device that may use any combination of sound, sight, motion and smell to make
you feel that you are experiencing an actual situation. Some video games are good examples of
low-end simulators. For example, you have probably seen or played race car arcade games.

FUNCTIONS OF SIMULATION

Simulation modeling solves real-world problems safely and efficiently. It is an important method
of analysis which is easily verified, communicated, and understood. Across industries and
disciplines, simulation modeling provides valuable solutions by giving clear insights into
complex systems.

Simulation modeling is experimentation on a valid digital representation of a system.

Unlike physical modeling, such as making a scale copy of a building, simulation modeling is
computer based and uses algorithms and equations. The model of the system is dynamic and can
be analyzed while it is running, even viewed in 2D or 3D.
Computer simulation is used in business when conducting experiments on a real system is
impossible or impractical, often because of cost or time.

The ability to analyze the model as it runs sets simulation modeling apart from other methods,
such as those using Excel or linear programming. By being able to inspect processes and interact
with a simulation model in action, both understanding and trust are quickly built.

THE ADVANTAGES OF SIMULATION

1. Risk-free environment

Simulations provide a safe way to test and explore different possible scenarios. Make the right
decision before making real-world changes.

2. Save money and time

Virtual experiments with simulation models are less expensive and take less time than
experiments with real model.

3. Visualization

Simulation models can be animated in 2D/3D, allowing concepts and ideas to be more easily

verified, communicated, and understood. Analysts and engineers gain trust in a model by seeing

it in action and can clearly demonstrate findings to management.

4. Increased accuracy

A simulation model can capture many more details than an analytical model, which provides

increases accuracy and more precise analyzing data.

STELLA SIMULATION

Figure 1: Normal Ecosystem

Figure 1 above shows the normal graph that represent a normal ecosystem which for living
things lived in palm oil plantation. In this phase, there is no variables were adjusted from this
simulation. So the result had shown by this simulation had conveyed the natural environment for
the palm oil plantation, which means it has a suitable, stable and good ecosystem for the palm oil
plantation. The variables involved are the numbers of rats and the numbers of owls.
 Figure 2: Modified graph

In figure 2, both variables are being adjusted. At this state, the numbers of rat were adjusted is
from 2000 to 2800 and the numbers of owls were adjusted from 12 to 18. So the modified graphs
were differ from the graph that represent a normal ecosystem. Both variables are fluctuated.
 Figure 3: Adjusted variable

In figure 3, only one variable that are being manipulate from the normal environment which is
the numbers of owls. It had been adjusted from 12 to 16. Thus, only a variable in blue color was
fluctuated.

1) Manipulate through simulation.

In manipulation stage, students manipulate the variables by adjusting the variables. Thus,
students get the results. Next, students can try adjusting the variables to know the
upcoming results/graphs. So, they can know the correlation between the variables.
Next, by adjusting the variables also can make the students seeing how the social
processes works and how social interact in action within each other. This is one of the
 most significant outcomes of simulation in social science disciplines such as sociology
and agriculture.

2) Motivation through simulation.

Simulation increased student’s motivation whenever they can manipulate the variables
based on what they want or what they should do. While they keep on trying to manipulate
the variables, this will increase their motivation to keep trying and boost up their willing
to study and want to know more. They also get to know the upcoming results when they
keep on trying.

Other than that, transferring knowledge to new problems and situations will
occur. It is because a well done simulation is constructed to include an extension to a new
problem or a new set of parameters that requires students to extend what they have
learned in an earlier context.

3) Prediction through simulation.

Prediction can be make easy and almost accurate to the real life situation’s result that
going to be generated in the future by using simulation. The skill of forecasts can be
learned by the students through using simulation. Student can increase their critical
thinking and their creativity by using this simulation. This is because, in prediction stage,
after keep on trying to manipulate the variables, students get to know the results. From
the result shown in simulation, students can analyze the result obtained and keep on
trying to get the most desired result.

Other than that, students can predict what type of results or graphs that they will
get based on manipulating the variable because prediction skill is learned based on the
result generated through simulation. Thus, promotes higher level thinking such as
analyses, synthesis and evaluate in the Taxonomy Bloom as the students need to analyses
the results obtained and theory from the results. Then, students need to evaluate the
 prediction that they have make either is logic, relevant and acceptable after comparing
and analyses the result obtained from simulation.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, simulation is the one effective and powerful tool for either educators to be used in
their teaching and learning process, a farmer to survey their own plantation condition or
company for their company benefits. Simulation like Stella software should be often used in
education as the simulation for student analyses, evaluate and to predict in order to promote high
order thinking skill among students. Finally, simulation can give the opportunities to experience
and go through events or phenomenon that are not able to feel or difficult to observe and collect
data.
REFERENCES

STELLA (Systems Thinking for Education and Research). (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2017, from
Data One : https://www.dataone.org/software-tools/stella-systems-thinking-education-
and-research

The Anylogic Company. (n.d.). Use of Simulation. Retrieved April 25, 2018, from Anylogic:
https://www.anylogic.com/use-of-simulation/

Lim1990. (2018). Simulation Report. Slideshare.net. Retrieved 26 April 2018, from

https://www.slideshare.net/Lim1990/simulation-report