Introduction 

Scientific models are developed as a means of helping people understand scientific concepts and representing them in a visual medium. Models are used to make predictions. They may include physical and digital models, which can be refined over time by the inclusion of new scientific knowledge.

Students recognise that many scientific models have limitations and are modified as further evidence comes to light. For this reason, scientific models are continually evaluated for accuracy and applicability by the global scientific community through the process of peer review. Students construct and assess their own models, which are generated through practical investigation.

Models to Inform Understanding

Inquiry question 1: What is a scientific model?

Examine the types of models that may be used in science, including:

• diagrams
• physical replicas
• mathematical representations
• analogies
• computer simulations

Some introductory links

• Developing and using models  including computer simulations
• Ideas about models and links
• What is scientific modelling?
• Geoscience Australia
• Modelling in science- evaluation and ideas 
• Science uses models to explain aspects of the real world. Including lots of examples of models.

Inquiry question 2: What makes scientific models useful?

There are many different types of models used in science. Most models, however, have certain things that are in common. These include;

• help us understand a scientific process or phenomena 
• based on observations, both quantitative and qualitative
• explain relationships between parts in the model
• help in creating a prediction related to an unknown aspect of the process or phenomena represented.

A great article from the Science learning hub introduces the scientific model.

Students:

• examine the use of scientific models, including but not limited to:

1. Epidemic models

• Germ theory– early ideas about disease transmission and a TED-ed lesson about germ theory and its origins, a TED ed lesson  and an excellent reading from the Big picture. It delves into the history of germ theory with other related links.
• SIR model for infectious disease transmission.
• How important is long-distance travel in the spread of epidemics? This article examines how computer modelling can factor in the modern human movement to the spread of epidemics such as Ebola.
• Forecasting flu outbreaks. New software based on statistical probability principles is helping forecast our flu season, and could also identify the level of threat of a bioterrorist attack.
• How social network can be used to predict and reduce the impact of infectious epidemics.A Ted talk. After mapping humans’ intricate social networks, Nicholas Christakis and colleague James Fowler began investigating how this information could better our lives. Now, he reveals his hot-off-the-press findings: These networks can be used to detect epidemics earlier than ever, from the spread of innovative ideas to risky behaviours to viruses (like H1N1).
• epidemic models
• Activities to model epidemic models

2. Models of the Universe

• Steady state theory – a short introduction by the Britannica encyclopedia.Some more information on this model of the universe including interactive
• Birth of the big bang theory. How we came to understand the universe had a finite beginning in a massive explosion.

• Hold the universe in your hands with this 3D-printed model of the CMB( cosmic background radiation), and an evaluation of the model.

• models of the Universe a historical look at the various ideas that changed our view of the universe from the Khan Academy.
• A Ted video, the beginning of the universe. and future challenges to try and understand the origins of the Universe.

3. Atomic models

• atomic models
• The 2,400-year search for the atom – Theresa Doud a TED-ed talk about the 2000-year-old journey to discover the atom.
• An introduction to the history of the atom by CK-12
• atoms close up. An article by Cosmos magazine that looks at the atomic arrangement of structures and how they can be used to make new materials.
• The quantum model of the atom from cK-12.
• The Standard Model explains how the basic building blocks of matter interact, governed by four fundamental forces. This link is from CERN and has a lot of interesting information about aspects of matter and atoms on the subatomic scale.

4. Climate models

• Human-Caused Global Warming. This resource has a lot of information and modelling, including an excellent video about the challenges of modelling climate change.

• climate models
• Climate science resources from the CSIRO
• Climate modelling from the CSIRO 
• Climate modelling explained from the conversation
• The greenhouse effect a simple introduction.
• Climate time machine– a collection of simulations that are created from data that show how aspects of the climate have changed over time.
• Timeline: A history of climate modelling

For each above;

• outline how models have been used to illustrate, simplify and represent scientific concepts and processes
• explain how scientific models are used to make predictions that are difficult to analyse in the real world due to time frames, size and cost.
• assess the effectiveness of models at facilitating the understanding of scientific processes, structures and mathematical relationships through the use of:
  • diagrams
  • physical replicas
  • mathematical representations
  • analogies
  • computer simulations

• evaluate how scientific models draw on a growing body of data from a wide range of disciplines and technologies to refine predictions and test new hypotheses

 

• 

Types of Models

Inquiry question 3: When should a particular model be used?

Explain why new evidence can challenge the use of existing scientific models and may result in those models being contested and refined or replaced, including but not limited to the development of;

• epidemic models
• models of the Universe
• atomic models
• climate models

See information above related to each type.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a model

• The Role of Models in a Science activity 
• Models in science from the science learning hub.

Models use different “tools” to make them more accessible and often simplify complex phenomena. These include;

• diagrams

  

• physical replicas

 

 

 

• mathematical representations

  

• analogies

 

 

• computer simulations

 

 

More model examples 

• What listening to nature can tell us about the health of our ecosystems
• An online tool shows how Earth systems respond to changes.
• A visualization of global weather conditions forecast by supercomputers updated every three hours.
• phET– a collection of computer simulations that can be used for modelling scientific concepts from junior high to university level.

The Role of Models in a Science activity 

Constructing a Model

Inquiry question 4: How can a model be constructed to simplify understanding of a scientific concept?

Constructing a Model: This may form a depth study task

What should be considered when constructing a model?

Students will be investigating a scientific concept or process that can be represented using a model, by:

• planning a model with reference to the scientific literature
  writing an annotated bibliography   and Harvard reference generator ( see working scientifically section for more information on how to cite your references)
• constructing a model using appropriate resources to represent the selected scientific concept
• demonstrating how the model could be used to make a prediction
• presenting and evaluating the model through peer feedback

Intro to scientific modelling

Some examples of working scientific models made by senior students

Amazing technology-based projects

• solar tablet cover for Ipads
• Hi-viz bike system 
• The “clever girl”  rip identifier

Computer simulation examples

• computer simulation biological system 
• Programming DNA  and using it as a hard drive
• NeTLoGo software to make computer simulations
• Plastic adrift- simulating were plastic rubbish will go