Why do teachers need to explain visual materials used in STEM classes?

In STEM education, teachers must explain visual materials because these tools—ranging from diagrams and models to complex scientific visualization—serve as concrete leads to abstract learning rather than as self-explanatory sources of knowledge.12

Without expert guidance, students' ability to interpret and infer from visual data can easily go astray. Teachers are essential to provide the necessary elaboration and discussion to ensure that students correctly synthesize information. If used without interpretation, visual materials can even become a hindrance to learning, as they may provide an incomplete picture or fail to convey the underlying scientific concepts. By filling in these gaps, teachers guide students through the process of generalizing and abstracting, which is fundamental to mastering STEM subjects.2