The research examined the effect of context-based comics on the grounded mental model (GMM) development of sixth-grade students. Fifty-nine students were included in the study, which was conducted with a quasi-experimental design. A context-based comic (CbC) was used to teach the experimental group, whereas the course was taught using existing textbooks in the control group. As a data collection tool, the context-based learning situations test (CbLST) for electrical conduction was applied as a pre- and post-test. As a result of the research, it was concluded that the learning environment designed in the experimental group had a greater effect on GMM development than the control group and that the CbC was an effective teaching material in GMM development compared with the current textbook. Based on these results, the use of CbCs and the determination of GMMs in science teaching should be increased. Recommendations have also been made regarding the use of CbLSTs.