Metaphors in Science

8th Int. Grade Science

 Science Metaphors
The Earth is like a
“Ball”.

The Wetlands are like

a “Sponge”.

Chemical Bonding is
like a “Magnet”.
 What is a Metaphor ?
Same words & phrases in creative ways to
explain things to one another.

Encourages the listener to think - more creative or

strange it is - more interesting it is.

More direct & uses less words to describe things.

Establishes a relationship of likeness.

Fills in the Gaps in language, could be used to

create new meanings to difficult new concepts.
 Metaphor Uses
Common & well understood experiences for
complex & abstract information.
Lectures, creative writing, reviewing information,
& to teach new difficult concepts.
Everyday conversation uses of at least 4
metaphors per minute.
Many are “hidden” or “embedded” into our
language.
Prompts original thoughts, creative thinking.
 Wetlands Metaphor

Antelope Island & the

Great Salt Lake are
surrounded by Wetlands
that are very Valuable
(“Priceless”) to the area.

(Wetland Metaphor Handout / Video)

Commonly Used Metaphors - 1

“Quiet as a Mouse” (Engine running)

“Red as a Cherry” (Santa’s Nose)

“Strong as a Tree” (Elephant’s Leg)

“Round like a Ball” (Earth)

Science Common Metaphors - 2
“Acts like a Sponge” (Wetlands)

“Clear as Glass” (Atmosphere)

“Formed like a Snowball rolling down a hill”

(Oolitic Sand)

“Slippery like Ice” (Electrons on Copper Wire)

“Stuck-Up” - doesn’t need anyone (Noble Gases)

“Magnetic Connections” (Chemical Bonding)

 Metaphor Types
Visual Aid – Object

Visual Drawing – Cartoon / Picture

Written Metaphor – Poem / Story

Verbal Metaphor – Saying / Phrase

Acting / Role Playing – Synectics /

Games
 Metaphor Transfer
Taking a Familiar or Common Trait and
used it to describe a New Ideas or Form of
Information.
Matching Similarities between Things
Making Emotion Connections
Use Language at Learners Level
Develop Common Uses & Descriptions
Add Creativity
Characteristics of Metaphors
Metaphors should include:

Vividness
Compactness
Expressibility

(Andrew Ortony)
 Designing Metaphor Examples

Similarities to:
 Structure / Style
 Uses / Performance
 Habits / Work
 Size
 Color
 Material
 Relates to another
Concept / Idea
Visual Metaphors
Words
Objects
Posters

Signs
Cartoons
Picture
 Written Metaphor
Puns / Play on words
Descriptive Adjectives
Rhyming / Poetry
Sequencing
Humorous
Abstract
Similarities
“Sayings”
“Masterpiece” / “Acorn” / “Mountain” Articles
 Verbal Metaphors
Computer works like a
“Brain”
Nervous System looks
like a “Tree”
Solar Systems looks like
a “Mobile”
Eyes work like an
“Camera”
Birds “Zipper” up their
Feathers
 Role Playing Metaphors
Synectics - Uses ANALOGIES
Process:
 Be Creative – New ideas, music, inventions
 Self Expressive & Personal
 Add Emotional Connection
 Must be Understandable
 Connections between Old & New Knowledge
Creative Analogies:
 Personal Expressions
 Acting Out Concepts, Objects, etc…
Synectics Analogy Samples
Create an “Analogy” with these topics.
Act it out.
“A Car Engine is like ………..”
“Erupting Volcano is like ………..”
“Electricity flowing through a wire is like ………..”
“Chemical Explosion is like ………..”
“Roller Coaster Ride is like ………..”
“Computer Processing is like ………..”
“Television is like ………..”
“Old Shoe is like ………..”
 Teacher Objectives
Teacher will demonstrate visual styles, written,
visual aids, games, and role play uses for
metaphors in learning new science concepts.
Teacher will give example notes and picture
reviews using visual metaphors.
Teacher will instruct the students on the steps
and designs to create metaphors in science.
Teacher will give evaluations and feedback to
students progress and completed projects.
 Teacher Instructed
Demonstrations
Metaphoric Examples:
Sample Visual Aids
Picture Page Reviews
Games of “Win, Lose, and Draw” / “Charades”
Role Playing - Synectics
Chemistry Demonstrations
Sayings, Vivid Descriptions

Final outcome:
Student Created Visual Aids
– Metaphoric Projects
 Student Objectives
Students will be introduced to new concepts
and terms in this Chemistry unit.

Students will create new “visual aids” or/and

written metaphors examples that could be used
to explain other key science concepts or terms in
Chemistry.
Students will learn to write and connect
metaphors to new terms and concepts in the
Chemistry unit with applied knowledge from their
English Metaphor unit.
 Student Objectives - con’t
Students will use visual aids to experiment
writing metaphors and brainstorming connected
to science concepts.
Students will demonstrate their metaphoric
knowledge by participating in Role Playing and
“Win, Lose, and Draw” games as teams.
Students will design a Metaphor form that
explains a Concept in Science.
Student’s Metaphors will be used for teaching
and reviewing a concept.
 Project Assignment
Select 1 Metaphor Type to design:

“Picture Page” - Review Handout

“Picture Notes” - Teaching Handout
“Poster Illustration” - Poster
“Visual Aid” – Model or Object
“Game” – “Win, Lose, or Draw” or “Password”
“Written Saying” – Mnemonics
“Role Playing” – Synectics / Charades
 Metaphor Assignment
1. Finding Out the Definition / Concept
2. Brainstorming all the Possibilities you
can use
3. “Play” with you ideas – Finalize on one
4. Design the connections
5. Develop a metaphor form to illustrate the
new concept. (Chose 1 form)
6. Present metaphor to Class
 Brainstorming
Concept Mapping Ideas
Venn Diagram
– Similarities / Differences

Different Large Cats – like Lions have a male leader and

female hairium
Like a Cheetah the mother does the raising of the offspring's
(single parent)

Concept Mapping – Webbing

Connections to concepts
 Student Motivation
Peer Review / Peer Recognition
Peer Support – “Scaffolding”
Competition
Challenge / Competition
Positive Feedback
Candy / Rewards
Grade / Teacher Recognition
Zone of Proximal Learning
 Final Assessments
Peer Understanding of Created Metaphors
Participation in Activities / Discussions
Pop Quizzes / Test
Research / Brainstorming / Concept
Mapping activities
Creation of a Metaphor for a Concept
Rubric for Metaphor Project
Self Assessment