Why Model? Let's answer that by first asking another question: Who is the most famous scientist of the last century? Most would likely indicate it was Albert Einstein. It is noteworthy that Einstein did not learn to speak until he was 3 or 4 years old. Einstein claimed that he thought through images rather than verbally. People who have studied his brain reported that the language part of his brain was less developed than normal, but the visual-spatial regions were more developed than in the typical brain. For instance, at the tender age of 16, Einstein performed his famous thought experiment, visualizing traveling alongside a beam of light. What does his difficulty with language and strength in visualization, have to do with learning about atoms and molecules? Einstein developed an advanced understanding of the world around us that has helped us to unlock some of the mysteries of atoms and molecules. How was Einstein, whose language skills were average at best, able to advance our understanding of science? Recent brain research has indicated that scientific learning, as compared to English, Social Studies, and Writing, tends to be more of a visual-spatial task. When teachers present more complex concepts to younger children, the information should be presented in a manner that is more directly and easily absorbed by their brains. 2D representations (like pictures in a book) and language-based conceptualizations of scientific concepts (like reading chapters in your science book) require the concept to be understood at the language level, and then translated to a visual-spatial conceptualization. So, the ability of young children to comprehend scientific concepts may be limited by their language skills or their ability to transcribe 2D pictures and language into visual-spatial concepts. Why not present the information in a manner that is easily understood by the brain? For example, how did we learn to count? When asked to learn our first spatial tasks like counting, we used our fingers or other visual models, such as beans. Why? That was the most efficient and effective way of understanding a visual-spatial concept. Can you imagine trying to learn to count by reading about it? (Chapter 1: Addition. One thing plus one more thing equals two things. One thing plus two things is three things.) Like Einstein, by visualizing the molecular world using models, we are better able to present complex information to younger minds in a more natural learning modality. This can help to further advance our understanding of the world around us. Lastly, we can leverage the fact that children love to build because it is so fun! Samsun Okinaga Licensed Educational Psychologist Ventura, CA USA