Standard 2: Understands the value and limitations of scientific models

As Albert Einstein said: "If you cannot explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough."

Scientific models provide ways to read and understand a complicated scientific concept, law, or theory by breaking it down into a simpler form. By breaking down a complicated concept visually, scientists can communicate their ideas in a way that is easier for non-experts to understand. Plus, it gives the scientists a shortcut so they can lump similar concepts together.

Modelling is an essential part of all scientific activity, especially when it comes to educating lay people about discoveries. It would be nearly impossible to teach people about things like the water cycle or construction of molecules without being to look at them visually.

But, there is a downside. First of all, it is nearly impossible to be completely accurate with visual representations. Shortcuts have to be made. Since there's only so much that can be drawn on paper and seen with the eye, we run the risk of oversimplification and making people think that the concepts look literally like they do on the model. Models are important, but they cannot be the only thing used by scientists when developing theories.