Inquiry

Becoming a scientist A scientist is a person engaging in scientific Inquiry to acquire knowledge What kind of scientist intrigues you? – Why does this type of scientist interest? – What would you like to learn about this scientist?

Write down topics that you’re interested in exploring… Remember this will evolve into a science experiment, so ask yourself “Is this topic something that I’m passionate about exploring?”

Science Experiment Ideas Click on the icons below for ideas This is just a list of a few resources to help get you started

Fill out the Scientific Wonderings Questionnaire #1-10 to turn in Use CSIQ (Complete Sentence Including Question) for all questions

Scientific Wonderings Questionnaire #1 a)List the topics you are interested in. Use the icon (links) below to help you get started. b)What are some specific questions (wonderings) that you have about that topic?

#2 Why are you passionate about exploring this topic? To be passionate about what you are researching will insure the strength of your work throughout the longevity of the project

#3 Will you be able to conduct this experiment realistically? Remember the goal is to work in your present surroundings with as little expense as possible.

#4 Is your specific question phrased as a dichotomous (yes/no) question? This is not a good idea, as your research will not lead to further exploration, which is what scientific inquiry is all about.

#5 How could your question serve to solve or improve upon a real-world problem? The goal of your research is to improve your own understanding and share this with people in your own life, the community or around the world to make an impact in their lives as well.

#6 Is your specific question (wondering) Scientific? (i.e. is it testable and based in factual reasoning) – No testing on animals – Is it testable? (Refer to question #3) – Opinion polls and observations based in emotion/intuition are non- scientific

#7 Is your question a REAL question? (a question whose answer is not known to you?) – When learners embark on scientific inquiry for the first time, they often begin the inquiry journey in a comfortable place. Learners often begin in their comfort zone because it feels safe, even empowering, to have the opportunity to document some of great learning that they have achieved in the past. However, if you stay on this path, you risk investing time and energy into an inquiry that will merely confirm something that you already know rather than leading to new discoveries about your understanding of the world around you. – Is the question you selected something that, deep down, you already know the answer to? If so, work to reframe or refocus your question in a more productive and valuable way.

#8 Is your question focused on your own development/learning/understanding? – Sometimes in addressing a problem, learners might focus their initial question on factors they may be frustrated about; when this happens, rather than being focused inward on one’s own development, the inquiry might end up being focused outward, and framed around controlling or changing others. – Is your question focusing on controlling or changing the behavior of others? If so, try reframing the question in a way that helps you understand (rather than control) the behavior of other and which allows you to discover what you can do with those new understandings.

#9 Is your topic and question specific? – Continue to play with you question as the design of your study evolves and adding specific details to the framing of your question helps you communicate clearly the details of your study to other inquirers. – Two key components you may wish to include in you question Participants Strategy/action plan – Often these details are easy to work into your question as you think about other aspects of your study—your plan of action, how you will collect and analyze data and a timeline for your inquiry.

You’ve completed the Scientific Inquiry Questionnaire! – Continue to refine your topic and question as you design your study