Inquiry

Inquiry is a term that we often hear when we are talking about science teaching. How do you define “inquiry”?

Powerful Learning Experiences Why use Inquiry? Powerful Learning Experiences Most Powerful Least Powerful First Hand (the real thing) HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE SENSES Second Hand (representational) VIDEO/PICTURES/MODELS/SIMULATIONS Third Hand (symbolic) BOOKS ©Peggy Willcuts, Walla Walla public schools

Is there only 1 way to do inquiry? Confirmation –investigations to confirm understandings – the outcome is known in advance. Structured Inquiry -students follow a set of procedures outlined by the teacher or the curriculum. Guided Inquiry- the teacher provides the question but allows students to design their own procedures. Student Initiated Inquiry- students design their own question based on a topic selected by the teacher and design their own investigation.

Inquiry and the WASL ELAR 2- The student knows and applies the skills, processes and nature of science Generate a scientific question Understand how to plan and conduct investigations Understand how to make investigations reliable and valid Analyze and explain results Construct a scientific explanation using evidence Understand how to report investigations Understand that increased understanding of systems can lead to new investigations

WASL Inquiry Language Any measurements or conditions that can vary are called variables Controlled Variables remain constant throughout the investigation Manipulated Variable (changed) is changed during the investigation Responding Variable (measured) is the variable measured in response to the changed variable

Example: An experiment to see if the length of a string will effect the number of swings of a pendulum in a minute. Manipulated (Changed) Variable Responding (Measured) Variable- Controlled Variables- length of string number of swings in a minute include: weight of pendulum, height of drop, type of string, etc.

8th grade WASL investigation format Question Hypothesis (if...than...because) Materials Procedures Logical steps At least one controlled variable One changed variable One measured variable, multiple trials Data procedures must tell what data is recorded either as statement in the procedures or by creating a blank data table for results. Conclusion Answer the investigative question or tell if the hypothesis was correct Include data that support your conclusion. This must include the high data, low data and comparative language

Planning an Experiment On the WASL students will always be given a sample scientific experiment before they are asked to design their own set of procedures Consider using a structured inquiry activity from your curriculum as a springboard to help your students do a more open ended inquiry activity.

What do I want the students to know and understand? Take a few minutes to consider the big ideas in a kit. What do you want students to know and understand? Is there a “springboard” inquiry investigation in the kit that will help you students to gain a deeper understanding of these concepts?

Choose a Lesson for an Investigation: Choose a lesson that has room for asking questions. Make sure the questions will be testable using the equipment and time constraints you have in class. Consider whether the investigation in this lesson will help students gain a deeper understanding of the concepts you identified.

A tool to help students practice inquiry Inquiry Boards A tool to help students practice inquiry