The artifacts present a range of initial thinking. Many models (Samples A,B,C) reveal an association between the presence/intensity of sunshine and drought and between the presence/severity of clouds or storms and flooding. Sample A, for example, represents rainfall on one half – using the vocabulary ‘precipitation’ - and the presence of a body of water; on the other half, the student represents sunshine causing water to ‘evaporate’ and form clouds. An arrow directed from the right pane to the left pane indicates an unspecified connection between the two. Sample B emphasizes the duration and intensity of weather events (whether storms or sunshine), and connects these to negative impacts (e.g. a downed tree and stop sign, a submerged house; a dead tree and cracked dirt). 

Sample C shows a “before and after” view for a location experiencing a drought, and clearly reflects how the abundance or scarcity of water impacts civilization (e.g. showering, washing hands, drinking water). This model identifies that water must “travel,” but still wonders: “Where did all the water go?” Interestingly, the student identifies water waves – perhaps ocean waves – as an example for how water can travel. Of these models, Sample D is unique in that it alone hypothesizes a causal mechanism for how the water “travels” - in this case, by “water flowing away in rivers” to other areas.