Idea Bank: Roller Coaster Inquiry

Journal Article | August 2004

This project, which centers on roller coaster design, engages students in learning about physics and activates their prior knowledge in an open-inquiry environment. The activity also gets students involved with inquiry…

Science Sampler: An inquiry into the phases of matter

Journal Article | September 2010

The “What’s the matter With XOD” activity addresses students’ misconceptions and refines their ideas about phases of matter. This activity introduces the characteristics for solids, liquids, and gases, and begins a…

Inquiry and Developing Interpretations from Evidence

Journal Article | March 2004

When developing a rubric or criteria for assessment, teachers should be sure that they are accurately gauging student understanding. Good questions for teachers to ask themselves are, “What would I consider evidence of…

Teaching Inquiry Skills Using Rainsticks

Journal Article | October 2000

South American tribes created rainsticks—percussion instruments made from bamboo or dried cactus filled with rice—to appeal to the gods in hopes of bringing rain. In Africa, rainsticks are musical instruments. In the…

Editor’s Note: Selecting Inquiry Investigations

Journal Article | January 2011

The National Science Education Standards (NSES) specifically addresses the frequency with which teachers should incorporate inquiry as a strategy in their science classrooms. “Although the Standards emphasize inquiry,…

Concrete Inquiry: An introduction to materials science

Journal Article | August 2001

Students walk to school on concrete sidewalks every day. Yet how many of them understand how concrete is made, how it can be strengthened, or the difference between cement and concrete? In this materials science unit,…

Using Inquiry to Break the Language Barrier

Journal Article | October 2011

One way for ELL students to engage in inquiry is through a school science fair project or other independent research endeavor. Teachers can make simple modifications to the traditional science fair to help ELLs achieve…

Multiple Modes of Inquiry in Earth Science

Journal Article | December 2007

To help teachers enrich their students’ understanding of inquiry in Earth science, this article describes six modes of inquiry used by practicing geoscientists (Earth scientists). Each mode of inquiry is illustrated by…

The Prepared Practitioner: Making Inquiry Successful

Journal Article | November 2008

In general, moving from structured to guided to open inquiry means increasing student thinking and responsibility—at the highest level, students come up with questions to investigate, figure out how to answer those…

Epidemiology, Science as Inquiry, and Scientific Literacy

Journal Article | October 2003

Explore a Standards-based curriculum called Detectives in the Classroom that teaches the science of epidemiology for middle-level students.

Editor's Note: Moving Toward Inquiry

Journal Article | February 2011

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue.

Idea Bank: Climate Change Inquiries

Journal Article | January 2010

How can students engage in authentic inquiry on global climate change if they are not able to do the actual experiments? Many questions about climate change emerge over large areas and long periods of time. The good…

Teaching Teachers: Standardizing the Language of Inquiry

Journal Article | January 2001

Using the precise language of science can help teachers develop students' science-process skills. Inquiry goes far beyond simply asking questions. Inquiry combines the use of science processes with knowledge of science…

Folding Inquiry Into Cookbook Lab Activities

Journal Article | March 2012

Learn how to convert teacher-directed, highly structured lessons into more open-ended inquiry experiences that allow for student input, wonder, and individual exploration.

A Recipe for Inquiry: A traditional cookbook lab for determining the molar volume of a gas is modified to include inquiry

Journal Article | August 2003

Inquiry-based learning requires students to think about what they are doing before and during the experiment and provides opportunities to apply previously learned concepts to new situations. In this article, students…