Tite: Model Synergy: Combining classic modeling

The NGSS emphasizes allowing students to generate their own mental and physical models of phenomena to help them to own the knowledge. The author provides a means to combine physical modelin... See More

The NGSS emphasizes allowing students to generate their own mental and physical models of phenomena to help them to own the knowledge. The author provides a means to combine physical modeling using paper molecules and kinetic models with projected simulations to add animation to help students to see abstract concepts like how sugar dissolves in water. While this method seems to take a bit more time, for some topics like this and how changes of state affect volume and density, if students could truly visualize these it would make so many other topics like reactions rates or convection much easier to teach at a later time. It also fulfills the first thing mentioned, allowing students to develop personal models that are scientifically accurate.

Models and more Models

This quote from the article describes its content best..."when students are able to combine physical models, kinesthetic activities, and simulations, their understanding of the natural world... See More

This quote from the article describes its content best..."when students are able to combine physical models, kinesthetic activities, and simulations, their understanding of the natural world becomes even clearer." This is illustrated with a excellently detailed lesson plan on comparing different concentrations of food coloring, different amounts of sugar and different temperatures of water. Students used physical models and simulations to better understand what was taking place in the variety of experiments.