Models, like Frances Glessner Lee's miniature death scenes, alter how we perceive and understand information. These meticulously detailed dioramas were crafted to train investigators by presenting complex crime scenes in a manageable scale. By allowing observers to see the entire scene at once, these models reverse the usual process of understanding from parts to the whole. This wider perspective facilitates the comparison of relationships and encourages a more methodical approach to investigation. Building external representations, such as models, offloads cognitive effort from limited working memory. Physical models remain stable, allowing for repeated examination and the discovery of unforeseen interpretations. They provide a concrete basis for discussion, enabling different viewpoints to be compared against a shared reality. The act of constructing a model itself generates knowledge by imposing physical constraints that test ideas. Every model is an edited version of reality, reflecting the maker's choices about what to include and emphasize. Ultimately, models guide our attention and challenge our initial assumptions, leading to deeper understanding.