What We Do To Create Models in Biology

Evidence of Steps 2, 3, and 4:

Modeling Epistemic Practice Description:

Focused Inquiry
This epistemic practice is used to help guide students when modeling in a biology course. However, it can be used across all content
areas. This will guide students in engineering a structural model, a mathematical model, or a conceptual model. The teacher would let the
students know what kind of model they would be making. However, once they are familiar with this process, they will be able to determine
what kind of model to use for different concepts and ideas. In addition, this practice can be slightly modified for each time modeling is
appropriate for the lesson with the questions

Directed Observation
This epistemic practice can be used as an independent or a collaborative activity. The first time it is introduced, the teacher would
guide them through the graphic organizer above and make a model in front of the students. The teacher would ask facilitative questions so
that the students can guide their teacher model through the process. This enables the students to be active in the demonstration. Then, the
students would be given the materials, and the teacher would walk around and assist them in engineering the model designs.