Models That Matter

Journal Article | February 2004

Chemistry is a difficult subject for students to understand because its core concepts—atoms, molecules, and chemical bonds—cannot be directly observed. Students primarily learn chemistry through their senses and do not…

Rethinking Models

Journal Article | December 2002

While models and analogies are integral to both the learning and practice of science, their use is complex and potentially troublesome. Misconceptions can arise when parts of a model are misleading, missing, or…

A New Model for Inquiry

Journal Article | June 2004

There has been renewed discussion of the scientific method, with many voices arguing that it presents a very limited or even wholly incorrect image of the way science is really done. At the same time, the idea of a…

The Benefits of Scientific Modeling

Journal Article | September 2008

When students are engaged in scientific modeling, they are able to notice patterns and develop and revise representations that become useful models to predict and explain—making their own scientific knowledge stronger,…

Modeling Natural Selection

Journal Article | January 2011

In their research, scientists generate, test, and modify scientific models. These models can be shared with others and demonstrate a scientist’s understanding of how the natural world works. Similarly, students can…

Reasoning From Models

Journal Article | August 2017

Using metacognitive modeling in the physics classroom.