Grade 7 · Science · Unit 11 of 16
Science Models
How models help us picture and test ideas
What your child practises
Children learn that models represent ideas to help explain the world, that some models are well established and others tentative, and that models can change with new evidence.
Manitoba Curriculum learning outcome: SCI.7.D.3, SCI.7.D.4 · physical, mathematical and simulation models, and well-established and tentative models
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which is a mathematical model?
- a clay figure
- a drawing of a tree
- an equation that predicts how far a car travels
- a puppet
an equation that predicts how far a car travels
Hint: It uses math to represent a relationship.
Question 2
A well-established model has…
- a lot of evidence from many tests supporting it
- only one test
- no evidence
- no scientists using it
a lot of evidence from many tests supporting it
Hint: Evidence builds trust.
Question 3
Some models, such as models of black holes, are described as tentative because…
- nobody has studied them
- scientists are still gathering evidence about them
- they are too old
- they are false
scientists are still gathering evidence about them
Hint: Tentative means not yet fully confirmed.
Question 4
Which of these is NOT a good reason to use a model?
- It is smaller or simpler
- It is safe
- It is always completely identical to the real thing
- It lets us see what we cannot see
It is always completely identical to the real thing
Hint: Models are simplified, not identical.
Question 5
What happens to a model when new evidence does not fit it?
- It becomes a fact
- It is ignored forever
- It is kept unchanged
- Scientists may improve or replace it
Scientists may improve or replace it
Hint: Models change with evidence.
Question 6
An engineer builds a small model of a bridge to test it. This is helpful because…
- models are the real bridge
- problems can be found before building the real bridge
- testing is unnecessary
- bridges never fail
problems can be found before building the real bridge
Hint: Testing models saves time, money and risk.