Off-the-Shelf Masterclass: Modelling Forest Fires

About this Masterclass

Models are useful tools that enable us to describe the real world and predict many things like the weather, population dynamics, the spreading of disease, the impact of an earthquake, and many more. In this session, the students are introduced to cellular automata: mathematical models composed of grids of cells that evolve over time, according to simple rules based on the states of neighbouring cells.

Students will use cellular automata to model forest fires on paper grids, first using a given set of simple probabilities to simulate basic weather conditions, following which they can construct their own set of logical rules to change the model and make it their own! 

Length: 2 and a half hours

Note: Worksheets and supporting documents are provided in docx format as well as pdf format, to enable adaptations. These should be opened in desktop versions of word processing software to preserve formatting and layout.

Resources needed

• Printing (all double-sided):
  • Worksheet 0 , 1 per student (2 sides)
  • Worksheet 1, 1 set per groups of up to four students (8 sides, do not staple)
  • Worksheet 2, 1 per student (2 sides)
  • Helper notes
  • Session leader notes
    • Please print all resources from the PDF or Word Desktop versions, rather than Word Online/browser version.
• A set of dice (3x 6-sided, 1x 10-sided or equivalent) per group of up to four students
• Set of coloured pencils per group of students
• Additional dice for students to borrow for worksheet 2 (if possible, have a selection of different shapes, e.g. 20-sided, 12-sided, 10-sided, 8-sided, 6-sided and 4-sided)
• Computer and projector
• Whiteboard, flipchart or visualiser
• Further details of quantities and alternatives can be found in Helper Notes
• Students will also need spare paper and a pen or pencil