Inquiry

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

Why use Inquiry? First Hand (the real thing) HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE SENSES Second Hand (representational) VIDEO/PICTURES/MODELS/SIM ULATIONS Third Hand (symbolic) BOOKS Most Powerful Least Powerful Powerful Learning Experiences ©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 Understand how to ask questions Understand how to ask questions Understand how to plan and conduct simple investigations Understand how to plan and conduct simple investigations Understand how to create a reasonable explanation using evidence Understand how to create a reasonable explanation using evidence Understand that scientific observations are reported honestly and accurately Understand that scientific observations are reported honestly and accurately Understand why similar investigations may yield similar results Understand why similar investigations may yield similar results Understand how to make the results of scientific investigations reliable Understand how to make the results of scientific investigations reliable Understand that inquiry helps to build understanding of systems Understand that inquiry helps to build understanding of systems Understand how to report investigations Understand how to report investigations

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.

5th grade WASL investigation format QuestionPredictionMaterialsProcedures 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. 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.

Inquiry Boards A tool to help students practice inquiry