What is a SCIENTIFIC What is a SCIENTIFIC MODEL?MODEL?

A scientific model represents objects, phenomena, and physical processes in a consistent and logical way.

Scientists develop models Scientists develop models about many different natural about many different natural phenomenaphenomena Proton particles in light Weather systems How muscles move – like when you shoot a

basketball How dinosaurs behaved on the planet

before humans When earthquakes hit or volcanoes erupt How different ecosystems work – deserts,

oceans, and forestsCan you come up with any examples of someCan you come up with any examples of someSCIENTIFIC MODELS? SCIENTIFIC MODELS?

Hint: What model did you construct last year? Hint: What model did you construct last year?

Scientific PROCESS of studying Scientific PROCESS of studying the world around us:the world around us:

Let’s act like Let’s act like SCIENTISTS?SCIENTISTS?

Observations Patterns Possible Explanations

Ex. Leaves change colors and fall off trees

Ex. This happens every year at about the same time

Does this happen because…• It gets colder?• The days are shorter?• There is less sun?

Ex. Hiccups Ex. This happens every time a person eats to fast

Does this happen because…• You eat too much food?• Something is triggering a spasm in your stomach?

Blinking eyes

Dark clouds

Drop a ball and a paper clip

Having twins

Cycles of the moons

Examples of scientific Examples of scientific PROCESSES you have PROCESSES you have participated in:participated in:

Gill Flap/Fish Temperature lab Making observations & finding patterns

Animal Behavior experiments Making observations, finding patterns and

then developing and testing

Jane Goodall and the chimps Making observations, finding patterns in tool

making and then developed ideas about how they were similar to us

Once scientists have TESTED and Once scientists have TESTED and EXPLAINED the phenomena, those EXPLAINED the phenomena, those EXPLANATIONS are called…EXPLANATIONS are called…

SCIENTIFIC SCIENTIFIC MODELS!MODELS!

SCIENTIFIC MODELS…SCIENTIFIC MODELS…

Examples of SCIENTIFIC Examples of SCIENTIFIC MODELS:MODELS:

A model of the motions of the sun, moon and earth (which you participated in last year)

A model of predicting eclipses

Models that explain weather phenomena can be used to predict weather

Models lead scientists to Models lead scientists to ask questionsask questions

Diseases caused by bacteria discovered by scientists

Your ANIMAL BEHAVIOR experiments

Looking back on your animal behavior Looking back on your animal behavior experiment, explain in a few sentences experiment, explain in a few sentences any any NEWNEW questions you would now ask questions you would now ask

after getting your results?after getting your results?

How are models How are models communicated?communicated?

Graphs

How are models How are models communicated?communicated?

Drawings

How are models How are models communicated?communicated?

Equations

A=A=ππrr22

Can you think of any other equations that Can you think of any other equations that scientists and mathematicians use to scientists and mathematicians use to

explain data?explain data?

Model vs. Model vs. RepresentationRepresentation

A model is the IDEA

Graphs, drawings and equations are the REPRESENTATION of the model or idea

The Black Box/Mystery Maker The Black Box/Mystery Maker ExperimentExperiment66thth Grade Grade

Think back to your explanations for how the Black Box works… What did you do? Look for patterns in your observations?

Develop ideas how it might have worked?

Communicate your ideas to other scientists (in the class) using representations of your idea?

How do you decide if a model is How do you decide if a model is “right”?“right”?

A community of scientists may have more than one model to explain a given phenomena Many models were proposed to explain the

“Black Box” experiment from 6th grade

Were all of these models of the “Black Box” equally valid? Let’s discuss.

How do you decide if a model How do you decide if a model is RIGHT?is RIGHT?

Are multiple models for the same phenomena equally valid?

Just because there are multiple models, does not mean that they both can’t be valid

Can scientists change their Can scientists change their SCIENTIFIC MODELS?SCIENTIFIC MODELS?

Did you change your Black Box model?

Scientists DO change their models to better fit the criteria of the scientific model Explain observations Predict future phenomena Be realistic

IT’S YOUR TURN TO BE THE IT’S YOUR TURN TO BE THE SCIENTIST!SCIENTIST!

You will be developing your own models to explain some interesting genetic phenomena

You will be developingmodels to explain how seeds that are round and wrinkled have mainly round peas for offspring (kids).