Model This

General Event Information
Model This is a National trial event that bears some similarity to Compute This. Teams are presented with a problem that requires modifying or creating a Vensim PLE computer model to represent the scenario presented. Short answer questions related to the problem are also included.

Event Parameters
Blank tablet paper and writing instruments may be used but are not required. More importantly, teams may create their own public websites to organize URLs and other information.

Example Problem
The recent outbreak of the swine flu virus has exposed several weaknesses in the world’s ability to respond to the sudden emergence of a widespread illness. Computer models can be used to test prevention and treatment strategies with normal and at-risk populations. For background information about the swine flu, see http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/i/influenza/swine_influenza/index.html), http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/health/11docs.html?_r=1, http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/, and http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511151620.htm. Prior to the competition, students should download NetLogo from http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/. The NetLogo Models Library has a variety of disease models that will help the students prepare for the competition.