Science NIE ACTIVITY Science Matters!
is a series presented in
collaboration with the Connecticut Academy of
Science and Engineering and the Connecticut
Science Center.
For more information, visit www.ctcase.org
… IN CONNECTICUT or call 860.571-7143
Mathematical Modeling Did you know…?
Let’s face it; math is not everyone’s favorite subject. In fact, most people would count it as the least The word 'mathematics' comes from the Greek máth'ma, which means learning, study, science.
enjoyable topic covered during their school career. Math can be tough, but it’s always reliable. Numbers A number is divisible by three if the sum of its digits is divisible by three.
and formulas, when used properly, never fails, and because of that, math helps our society in countless
ways. Mathematics is one of many tools scientists use, helping them measure, predict, and understand In working out mathematical equations the Greek mathematician, Pythagoreans, used little rocks
the world around us. One of the most beneficial uses of math in science is the creation of models. A to represent numbers. Hence the name of Calculus was born which means pebbles in Greek.
mathematical model is a representation of a process, device, or concept by means of a number of Pi (The ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle) can’t be expressed as a fraction,
variables, which represent the inputs, outputs, and internal states of the device or process. In other
words, it’s a quantifiable way of looking at the world around us to help us better comprehend various
making it an irrational number. It never repeats and never ends when written as a decimal.
phenomenons such as weather, disease, and even outer space.
The Models of Infectious Disease Agent Study (also known as MIDAS) is a network of research models
used to help better understand the spread of infectious diseases such as influenza, pertussis, West
Nile virus, cholera, and dengue fever. MIDAS works closely with state and local governmental and
health officials to provide information on preparation and/or treatment plans for the public, should it
become necessary. The treatment of the flu, which is a viral infection most people have encountered at
one point or another, is developed based on models that use data from previous outbreaks to predict
what the following year’s viral strain will look like. Modeling in the medical world is not just limited
to transmittable diseases, however. Models can also help doctors better understand sicknesses like
cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes.
Meteorologists also rely on mathematical modeling to help make predictions. When it comes to
creating a forecast, modeling is one of the most helpful tools available. These types of models use
millions of numbers that represent parameters, such as temperature, pressure and wind. Using a grid
system to separate the atmosphere into various layers based on altitude, these models help represent
current weather conditions and predict future weather conditions. Not all models are created equal
when it comes to weather, however. You may have heard of the “European Model” in the news lately.
This refers to the weather model used by European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting.
Recently, debates have sparked over the increased accuracy of this model versus the one used by
the US National Weather Service. When Hurricane Sandy hit in October 2012, The European Model
predicted the storm would take a swing to the east two days before the US Model did. Also, many
winter storms in 2013, such as the infamous blizzard that hit the Northeast and the unprecedented
March snow storm that hit DC, were predicted first and more efficiently by the European Model. These
models are complex, and with each having its own ever-changing database of information to run off
of, there are bound to be differences in their results. About the Author:
What you’ve just read about are only a few of the growing number of mathematical models used in the My name is Rachel Shurick and I am a Staff Scientist at the Connecticut Science Center. I have my
world today. Everyone from Astrophysicists trying to understand the Big Bang Theory, to Ecologists Bachelor’s of Science degree in Marine Science. My work at the Science Center includes the writing
attempting to predict next spring’s frog population, make use of models. So next time you think math and facilitating of science programs for grades pre-k to 12, professional development of teachers
is boring, or ask yourself, “when will I ever have to use this?” think about all the ways math helps throughout Connecticut based around the teaching and understanding of science curriculum, and
your life on a daily basis!
much, much more. Working in informal science education, not only do I get to teach, but I get to
To learn more about Math and how it impacts your life come visit the new traveling exhibit “Math learn something new every day from the variety of students I meet.
Alive!” at the Connecticut Science Center, open from May 28th through September 1st.
Sources:
Miller, Peter. “Why Are Europeans Better at Predicting the Weather?” www.NationalGeographic.com March 7, 2013
NIH, National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). "Modeling disease spread, including flu." ScienceDaily,
29 Apr. 2013. Web. 2 May 2013
WORDS TO KNOW
Infectious: A disease or disease causing organism that is liable to be spread to people,
www.research.noaa.gov NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. Weather Modeling and Prediction.
or other organisms, through the environment.
Atmosphere: The envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.
Astrophysicist: A person who studies the behavior, physical properties, and dynamic
processes of celestial objects and phenomena.
Next Page: May 24
