What is Inquiry?

Science is an ongoing search for better explanations of what we see and experience around us. The Materials World Modules give students an opportunity to act as scientists do, participating in the search to find explanations for phenomena that they find interesting.

At its best, this process of inquiry begins with students' questions and their prior knowledge and experience. By seeking answers to their questions, students may discover new, related questions and a sense of wonderment to continue the process. Achieving an answer to questions usually involves experimentation or research; in either case, the student is responsible for designing the investigation.

As adapted from the National Science Education Standards, the scientific inquiry process can be captured by the following characteristics:

• Develop researchable questions to guide scientific investigations
• Design and conduct scientific investigations using appropriate tool and mathematical analysis
• State scientific explanations and devise models following rules of logic and evidence
• Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models
• Communicate and defend the conclusions of scientific investigations