Inquiry in the Chemistry Classroom: Perplexity, Model Testing, and Synthesis

by: Scott McDonald, Brett Criswell, and Oliver Dreon, Jr.

Lavoisier's theory of combustion is used as a context for a set of interrelated, inquiry-fostering investigations in a high school chemistry class. Further, this example of chemistry inquiry is used to develop some central ideas about inquiry pedagogy in science classrooms across content areas: sustained yet evolving scientific perplexity; model testing; and finally, synthesis that is a thoughtful and empirically supported explanation that may encompass multiple, seemingly conflicting pieces of data from a number of different phenomena.

Details

Type Book ChapterPub Date 1/1/2008Stock # PB216X_4

NSTA Press produces classroom-ready activities, hands-on approaches to inquiry, relevant professional development, the latest scientific education news and research, assessment and standards-based instruction.

Learn More