Reflect on your use of models

An image showing a male teacher holding a piece of paper with the structure of methane on it, a methane ball and stick molecular model, and thinking about an alternative model view; the blackboard behind shows the chemical formula of methane

Source: © Claudia Flandoli

Use scientific models effectively

Science teachers naturally use models all the time. We have to; many scientific concepts can’t be seen. However just as science can be complicated, using models to support scientific understanding isn’t straightforward either. As models are simplified representations of much more complex phenomena, we need to carefully plan their use. I do this using the Focus, Action and Reflection (FAR) approach.

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