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CSDMS 2025 Webinars

Demystifying Modelling: an Interactive, Educational and Exploratory Approach

Registration link: https://cuboulder.zoom.us/meeting/register/WWccSOmdSLi35PgMBPYOmg

Andres Penuela Fernandez
Universidad de Cordoba, Spain
apenuela@uco.es

Abstract
Addressing environmental challenges requires models that are not only scientifically robust but also accessible to diverse stakeholders, including non-technical users. However, for many, these models remain "black boxes," creating barriers to understanding and trust. These barriers hinder effective collaboration between modellers and decision-makers, ultimately limiting the impact of scientific insights.

This webinar introduces an innovative approach to modelling that emphasizes accessibility and understanding through learning-by-doing. We will explore an interactive toolbox (impact-erosion.github.io) built using Jupyter Notebooks, designed to guide users through essential modelling concepts and processes—from basic initial tasks such as data pre-processing to advanced techniques like uncertainty and sensitivity analysis.

By integrating interactive elements and visualization, iMPACT-erosion promotes an easier and more fluent user-model conversation, making models approachable for students, professors, researchers, and decision-makers. Beyond showcasing the toolbox, the webinar also empowers attendees to create their own accessible and interactive tools by integrating Jupyter Notebooks, interactive visualizations, and basic Python programming. Participants will learn how to deploy these tools on the cloud at no cost, making them easily shareable and usable by anyone with a web browser.

While the webinar focuses on hydrology and soil erosion, the underlying philosophy of interactive, educational and exploratory modelling is highly transferable across disciplines, offering a pathway to democratize modelling in various scientific domains.

Please acknowledge the original contributors when you are using this material. If there are any copyright issues, please let us know (CSDMSweb@colorado.edu) and we will respond as soon as possible.

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Of interest for:

Terrestrial Working Group

Coastal Working Group

Marine Working Group

Education and Knowledge Transfer (EKT) Working Group

Cyberinformatics and Numerics Working Group

Hydrology Focus Research Group

Chesapeake Focus Research Group

Critical Zone Focus Research Group

Human Dimensions Focus Research Group

Geodynamics Focus Research Group

Ecosystem Dynamics Focus Research Group

Coastal Vulnerability Initiative

Continental Margin Initiative

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Initiative

Modeling Platform Interoperability Initiative

River Network Modeling Initiative