Scientific Models
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 evaluate their own models, which are generated through practical investigation.
Investigating Science Syllabus Stage 6 p.41
Models to Inform Understanding
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
mODELS - thE cELL MODEL
pHYSICAL rEPLICA'S - DNA
MATHEMATICAL RELATIONSHIPS - thE PERIOD OF A PENDULUM
Computer simulations - The illustris project - simulating the universe
The Illustris project is a large cosmological simulation of galaxy formation, completed in late 2013, using a state of the art numerical code and a comprehensive physical model. Building on several years of effort by members of the collaboration, the Illustris simulation represents an unprecedented combination of high resolution, total volume, and physical fidelity.
Source: Illustris Website
What makes Scientific Models useful?
● examine the use of scientific models, including but not limited to:
– epidemic models
– models of the Universe
– atomic models
– climate models
Throw out your history books! Australia's Chief Scientist is correcting the record.
EPIDEMIC MODELS
Florence Nightingale
"Professor Alan Finkel says Florence Nightingale, The Lady with the Lamp, ought to be known as the Lady with the Logarithm — since she she saved far more lives by her grasp of numbers than by her gift for nursing.
He pays tribute to our patron saint of mathematics by drawing out four lessons from her story."