Scientific inquiry involves students designing invetigations and the ability to ask the right questions. One common problem students encounter at first is developing questions that lead to yes/no or true/false answers. These type of questions lead to poor experimental designs. Optimal inquiry-based questions are open-ended questions. As students analyze evidence to explain findings, open-ended questions provide answers they need to formulate meaningful explanations based on their conclusions.
For students to answer questions in their own words is critical for higher levels of thinking and knowledge. Also student’s own words disclose their level of understanding and reveal any misconceptions they may have based on:
Prior knowledge and experience (PKE)
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The investigation
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Influence or others
Impact of Using Scientific Inquiry
Scientific inquiry teaching and learning allows students to make connections within and between science concepts . A connection is essentially internalizing new knowledge and ways to learn. The key attributes of scientific inquiry-based teaching and learning result in students:
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Learning how to design research
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Learning how to ask questions
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Internalizing new knowledge
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Realizing that findings depend on experimental design
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Increasing their level of understanding of science
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Learning to investigate like scientists
Scientific Inquiry Resources
Investigations that apply the attributes of scientific inquiry:
Investigating Symmetry in Crystals
Generating Electricity with Potato Batteries
Salt Water Properties, an Inquiry Investigation
Investigating Osmosis in Plants
Effects of Acid Rain on Plants
Additional Resources for Stimulating Inquiry
20 Questions to Ask Students in Science Projects
Science Case Studies and Problem-Based Learning
Tags: inquiry resources, inquiry-based science lessons, scientific inquiry, teaching and learning with scientific inquiry, using scientific inquiry
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