Bioforge 1.1.2 Developing and Using Models

In this Bioforge Educator Lab video, we explore Science & Engineering Practice 1.1.2: Developing & Using Models. Models are where student thinking becomes visible. In middle school life science, students often need to understand systems they cannot fully observe all at once: cells, body systems, sensory pathways, inheritance, ecosystems, matter cycles, and natural selection over generations. A strong model helps students represent how a system works, test their ideas, revise their thinking, and explain what evidence supports their understanding. This video introduces the Bioforge Model Builder pathway: Represent → Test → Revise → Explain We’ll look at how models can move beyond “pretty diagrams” into real scientific sense-making. Students should not just label parts. They should show relationships, interactions, inputs, outputs, boundaries, evidence, and limitations. This video is part of the Bioforge Educator Lab, a Teach Wild North project supporting practical, rigorous, place-conscious middle school science instruction. In this video What scientific models are Why models matter in life science The difference between a picture and a model How students use models to explain and predict How models support NGSS / Alaska Science Standards How to help students revise models with evidence How to avoid grading artistic skill instead of scientific thinking Core classroom move Represent clearly. Test honestly. Revise bravely.