All Inquiry resources

Journal Article

Q: How can I address science misconceptions using phenomena-driven instruction?

Q: How can I address science misconceptions using phenomena-driven instruction?...

By Matthew Bobrowsky

Journal Article

Engineering and Design: Reducing Erosion at the ShoreDesigning a lesson using a Gather, Reason, and Communicate framework.

Integrating engineering into the science curriculum in a meaningful way requires planning that utilizes a 3-dimensional approach. Using a “gather, reason, communicate” framework (Moulding, Huff, Van der Veen, 2020) provided me with an effective ...

By Katheryn Kennedy

Earth & Space Science Environmental Science Inquiry Phenomena Three-Dimensional Learning

Journal Article

What Should We Investigate?

In this article, we describe how we use classroom phenomena to help fifth grade students develop testable questions and productive investigations. Engaging students in observing and seeking to explain a classroom decomposition chamber has helped them...

By Eve Manz, Annabel Stoler, Lorin Federico, Samantha Patton, Lindsay Weaver, Genelle Diaz Silveira, Souhaila Nassar

Early Education Elementary Inquiry Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices

Journal Article

Reworking the Recipe: Adding Inquiry and Reflection to College Science Labs

Cookbook-style laboratories (labs), where students follow recipes and confirm known results are common, yet years of science teaching and learning research indicate they do not help college students develop the habits of mind and skills of a scientis...

By Cari Din, Martin MacInnis

Inquiry Labs Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Science is for Questions

Poem and Art and Explore More...

By Amy Ludwig VanDerwater

Elementary Inquiry Learning Progression Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Scaffolding Fourth-graders’ Inquiry about Erosion

This sequence of lessons has students observing erosion and creating ideas about factors that affect erosion. Then, as a class, students first explore the impact of vegetation on erosion. Then, groups of students more independently investigate the im...

By Alexandria Burns, Jami Daniel, Jerrid Kruse, Ellen Gow

Elementary Earth & Space Science Inquiry Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Sparking students’ curiosity: Embedding strategies to promote curiosity alongside teaching static electricity

In this article, we use the strategies listed above to engage students in a 5E lesson on static electricity (partially addressing MS-PS2-3). We start the engage phase by using a “magic trick” as a hook to engage students about static electricity....

By Jesse Wilcox, Stephanie Zavalza Flores, MacKenzie Bruns, Sarah Nolting

Middle School 5E Inquiry STEM Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Going Beneath the Surface: Using Socioscientific Issues to Explore Human Impacts on Soil

Socioscientific issues (SSIs) can help students think about the moral and ethical issues related to science. When SSI issues are based on local phenomena and issues within students’ communities, they can also resonate more with students....

By Jesse Wilcox, William Lange, Shane Breheny

High School Earth & Space Science Equity Inquiry Interdisciplinary Social Justice

Journal Article

Exploring Built and Natural Landscapes, Land Cover, and Environmental Justice using Web-based Mapping Tools

Local landscapes examined via Google Earth provide a natural arena on which students can analyze how humans modify and interact with their environment. These lessons guide students through an exploration of the natural and built environments both nea...

By Carol Colaninno, Adriana Martinez, Charlie Blake, Candice Johnson

Environmental Science Equity Inquiry Social Justice STEM Technology

Class Pack

Mirror, Mirror ClassPack

Now Available for Grade K-2 Picture Perfect STEM Lessons - Ready-to-TeachTM Picture-Perfect ClassPacks!         • We are excited to announce our new kitting partner: ECA Science Kit Services! Now offering ...

Elementary Informal Education General Science Physical Science STEM Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Teacher Preparation Sensemaking

Class Pack

Feel the Heat ClassPack

Now Available for Grade K-2 Picture Perfect STEM Lessons - Ready-to-TeachTM Picture-Perfect ClassPacks!         • We are excited to announce our new kitting partner: ECA Science Kit Services! Now offering ...

Elementary Informal Education Pre-service Teachers Preschool General Science Physical Science STEM Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Teacher Preparation Sensemaking

Class Pack

The Handiest Things ClassPack: Grade K

Now Available for Grade K-2 Picture Perfect STEM Lessons - Ready-to-TeachTM Picture-Perfect ClassPacks!         • We are excited to announce our new kitting partner: ECA Science Kit Services! Now offering ...

Elementary Informal Education Pre-service Teachers Preschool General Science STEM Technology Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Teacher Preparation Sensemaking

Journal Article

Rain Gardens and Rain Gauges: Students get hands on with data while evaluating green infrastructure at their school

Two modules were designed for high school science students to investigate the performance of a rain garden installed on school property. The rain garden, a green infrastructure system which allows soil infiltration, was installed to reduce impacts to...

By Lauren Brase, Robert Ford, Amy Parker, Heather Mayfield, Adam Lehmann, and Sarah Meadows

Climate Science Earth & Space Science Environmental Science Inquiry

Journal Article

Teaching Trees: Revisions to an inquiry-based, service-learning field lab broadens student learning and better aligns to learning outcomes.

Most introductory science courses are large, lecture-style general education classes. Introduction to Environmental Science (ES 100) at NC State University is no exception, enrolling 200-300 students and meeting in the campus cinema. In 2018, I intro...

By Stephanie Jeffries

Postsecondary Environmental Science Inquiry Labs Learning Progression

Journal Article

The Micro Assignment Guided Inquiry and Collaboration (MAGIC) method: A qualitative discussion of the benefits of active learning through scaffolded assignments in upper-level physics and mathematics

In this article, we discuss Micro Assignment Guided Inquiry and Collaboration (MAGIC), an active learning method that draws on the merits of inquiry-based learning in STEM courses. We describe the use of Micro Assignments (MAs) consisting of a serie...

By R.F. Malenda, S. Talbott, and Scott Walck

Postsecondary Inquiry Instructional Materials Mathematics Physics Teaching Strategies