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SCALE Shares Modelling at NSTA Conference

April 16, 2007

WCER’s SCALE project was well represented at this year’s National Science Teachers Association Conference in St. Louis. Kevin Niemi and Sue Johnson presented the workshop “Modeling to Teach Abstract Earth Science Concepts.” They shared a student-directed modeling investigation that demonstrates an evidence-based explanation of Earth's landforms using the theory of plate tectonics and an understanding of the nature of scientific models. Kevin Niemi and Hedi Baxter presented the workshop “Using Frayer Models in Science Inquiry.” Frayer models go beyond simply defining terms to looking at characteristics and examples and building an understanding in a relational context. Niemi and Baxter showed examples of the Frayer Model in inquiry-based life, physical, and earth science units for grades 3–8.