Zomack is an alien visiting Earth who is looking at various objects and trying to figure out what they are. He describes seeing a red ball in a sandbox, a black and white ball in the grass that children kick, a long green tube with water coming out of one end, fish swimming in a clear box of liquid, pictures moving in another box without liquid, and a furry creature with a long tail making a whirring sound while sitting in a box.

1. Emily Kissner 2014
Building Mental Models
Zomack is an alien who has just arrived on Earth. He is looking at different
objects. Can you figure out what he is looking at?
In the Backyard
“I see a red object. It has a white handle and is round. It is sitting
in a box of sand.”
Zomack is looking at a
“I see a round object. It is black and white. It is sitting in the grass.
The human child who lives here likes to kick it.”
Zomack is looking at a
“I see a long green tube. Water seems to come out of one end!”
Zomack is looking at a
In the House
“I see a box. The sides are clear. There is a liquid in the box.
Creatures are swimming in the liquid.”
Zomack is looking at a
“I see another box. This box has pictures moving on it! Hmm,
should I put liquid in this box?”

2. Emily Kissner 2014
Should Zomack put liquid in the box? Why or why not?
“I see a creature. It has four legs. It seems to have fur and a long
tail.”
What might Zomack be looking at?
“Oh, the creature is sitting in a box. It is making a whirring
sound.”
Does this help you to build your mental model? Why?