Defining Inquiry Science

Scientific Inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work. Inquiry also refers to the activities of students in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, as well as an understanding of how scientists study the natural world.
-- National Science Education Standards, National Research Council

Educational research indicates that students learn best in an environment in which they can make discoveries and actively construct their own understanding of new science concepts. Such research, and classroom practice has lead to the development of an learning cycle to support teaching and learning through inquiry. The elements of this cycle include:

• Focus Students and teachers focus on the ideas students already have about a topic and develop new goals for learning through brainstorming and discussion
• Explore: Students engage in hands-on explorations of objects, organisms, and science phenomena
• Reflect: Students analyze their observations and data, review their original ideas related to the phenomena investigated, and develop new explanations for what they have observed
• Apply: Students apply their recently developed understanding of science concepts new situations

The features of classrooms that are engaged in inquiry-based teaching and learning include:

• Learners engaged by scientifically oriented questions
• Learners giving priority to evidence, which allows them to develop and evaluate explanations that address scientifically oriented questions
• Learners formulating explanations from evidence to address scientifically oriented questions
• Learners evaluating their explanations in light of alternative explanations, particularly those reflecting scientific understanding
• Learners communicating and justifying their proposed explanations