Students’ mental models of plants – an analysis of plant drawings across age groups

The present study investigates students’ mental models of plants through an analysis of plant drawings produced by Austrian students aged between 6 and 18. The research addresses two key questions: firstly, the types and features of plants depicted across age groups; and secondly, the differences in plant mental models over time. The study employed a drawing-based methodology, wherein participants were instructed to illustrate four plant types: a plant, a tree, a flower, and grass. The findings revealed that flowers are the most frequently drawn plant type (49%), followed by potted plants (27%) and trees (16%), with deciduous trees and daisy-type flowers as the most common representations. Although the drawings are simplified, they reflect age-related progression in detail and complexity. It is notable that older students’ drawings include more complex plant features, such as roots and leaf veins. The study highlights the potential for using drawing tasks as educational tools to reveal and develop students’ mental models, thus promoting plant awareness. This approach could guide science educators in addressing knowledge gaps and fostering a deeper understanding of plant structures and their ecological importance.