Model Builder

Start Tool

Topic

Resource Type

Level

High School — General High School — AP/IB College

Saved By

3 Users

Description

This interactive tool introduces students to building scientific models. Educators can use the tool to create assignments and, in some cases, automatically grade student models. Students can also use the tool to check their work against provided reference models.

Developing and using models is a key science practice highlighted in the NGSS framework and has many advantages for students. Model Builder is designed to be useful to beginners in modeling and can be an on-ramp to more sophisticated modeling platforms.

This tool is accompanied by the following materials:

The “User Guide” provides detailed instructions on how to use the tool and create different types of models.
The “Pedagogy Guide” provides a broader context about the use of models in the classroom and includes examples from Model Builder.
The “Catalog of BioInteractive Models for Educators” describes the models provided by BioInteractive, many of which relate to other BioInteractive resources. The catalog also links to model files that you can modify for your own use.

Student Learning Targets

Create models that illustrate cause-and-effect relationships to explain natural phenomena.
Use models to explain systems and how those systems might behave in response to stimuli or disturbances.

Estimated Time

One or more 50-minute class periods, depending on how the tool is used.

Key Terms

connection, component, conceptual model, diagram, network, object, stock and flow model, system

Terms of Use

The resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. No rights are granted to use HHMI’s or BioInteractive’s names or logos independent from this Resource or in any derivative works.