Web Based Interactive Models for Science Education and Collaboration Valentas Daniūnas, Vygintas Gontis, Artūras Acus, Vytautas Fokas, Gintaras Valiauga Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania mokslasplius@itpa.lt gontis@itpa.lt acus@itpa.lt vytas@freshmedia.lt gintaras@itpa.lt Abstract: For the distance learning and scientific cooperation the possibility to run software by Internet is essential. Ideas, algorithms, models and other software can be tested and investigated by everyone. Computer experimentation on the web becomes a natural approach to research and to scientific collaboration. The new field of complexity exhibits the limitation of exact analysis. The variety of economic, social and other complex systems has to be investigated by running computer models. WebMathematica represents technically the most complex part of the website, where a number of sophisticated interactive experiments from diverse areas of physics is realized. Enhanced by specially designed php-webMathematica module, it enables the realization of step-by-step training style where many of the intermediate steps can be evaluated and stored with the intention for later reuse in the process of presentation. AnyLogic software package allows one to develop interactive models of various physical systems of different nature: continuous, discrete or hybrid, and publish these models as java applets directly into Internet. Integrated numerical solver of differential equations, mathematical functions, graphical elements significantly facilitate the programming and allow one to reach high level of model interactivity, reality and usability. Models, developed with AnyLogic for the portal mokslasplius.lt include mechanical, optical, astronomical, electrical and complex systems, intended to use them as the educational teaching objects on the Internet. We do present examples of web based interactive models collected under the title “Physics of Risk” – the new field of the applications of physics in social sciences and complexity. Article also analyses our experience of integrating of various software packages, as open source content management system Drupal, server-side software (Tomcat server, webMatematica), java applets, specialized computer modelling tools for purposes of e-Learning, science popularisation and dissemination of educational information, paying particular attention to easiness of access to the content of portal, its usability for practical educational processes, and visual appeal. Keywords: E-learning, Computer Modelling and Simulation, Educational Web Environment. 1. Introduction The aim of this contribution is to present modern means for the dissemination of scientific and educational knowledge among society implemented on the portal mokslasplius.lt (SciencePlus). The portal is developed with the support of European Social Fund under the project of Lithuanian research institutions “Science. Researchers. Society.” Computer models are becoming important additional tool for education, teaching and distance learning, and serve as a new efficient instrument for scientific research of complex systems. Numerical models allow better understand science laws, while visualisation and animation of the processes, together with interactive user interface, create an appealing environment that encourage web site visitors to experiment with the models. The creation of interactive computer models has branched into an important activity of the whole project, as it turned out to be efficient way to present phenomena of physics, giving models as a kind of “toy” to portal visitors to play with, but at the same time making one to think about behaviour of the model and to relate it with underlying formulas and theoretical knowledge. Computer models interest visitors and motivate them for the further learning. To manage the project and to start creating content relatively quickly we decided to use existing open source content management system (CMS). There are many different systems (see e.g. CMS Matrix), so to choose one which suits educational project was not an easy task. We were looking for CMS which had relatively easy learning curve, simple administration of content and was easy to extend. Also we expected separation content from presentation, direct editing of content, authentication, automatic registration of users, granular access/administration privileges, searching of content, discussion groups, tools for spam control. We tested a number of CMS (Mambo/Joomla, Typo3, Drupal, Plone). Typo3 and Plone, while being very strong CMS, had too long and too steep learning curves. Mambo/Joomla also 1