Cell+Model

If you or your child were sent to Mars, how would one recognize a Martian? In other words, were you and/or your child taught why they were asked to make a model of a cell? Cell models should be constructed to create an understanding of a central question similar to "What is the definition of life?."

Constructing models of things, including mental models, is a powerful way to understand things. Thus, this "tool" for understanding or creating meaning should be taught. For example, take the concept of something being alive. In other words, what is "life" or how does one distinguish between a living and non-living thing. Since all living things are made of cells and the functions that maintain life occur in cells, a model of a cell is a powerful explanation of life. From the model one can glean that something is alive if it is made of cells and the parts in the cells are functioning. In other words, something is alive if the processes that occur in a living cell are occurring in it.

"A practice of both science and engineering is to use and construct models as helpful tools for representing ideas and explanations. These tools include diagrams, drawings, physical replicas, mathematical representations, analogies, and computer simulations."(NGSS)