1. Inquiry

2. Inquiry is a term that we often hear when we are talking about science teaching. How do you define “inquiry”?

3. Powerful Learning Experiences
Why use Inquiry?
Powerful Learning Experiences
Most Powerful
Least Powerful
First Hand (the real thing)
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE SENSES
Second Hand (representational)
VIDEO/PICTURES/MODELS/SIMULATIONS
Third Hand (symbolic)
BOOKS
©Peggy Willcuts, Walla Walla public schools

4. Is there only 1 way to do inquiry?
Confirmation –investigations to confirm understandings – the outcome is known in advance.
Structured Inquiry -students follow a set of procedures outlined by the teacher or the curriculum.
Guided Inquiry- the teacher provides the question but allows students to design their own procedures.
Student Initiated Inquiry- students design their own question based on a topic selected by the teacher and design their own investigation.

5. Inquiry and the WASL
ELAR 2- The student knows and applies the skills, processes and nature of science
Generate a scientific question
Understand how to plan and conduct investigations
Understand how to make investigations reliable and valid
Analyze and explain results
Construct a scientific explanation using evidence
Understand how to report investigations
Understand that increased understanding of systems can lead to new investigations

6. WASL Inquiry Language
Any measurements or conditions that can vary are called variables
Controlled Variables remain constant throughout the investigation
Manipulated Variable (changed) is changed during the investigation
Responding Variable (measured) is the variable measured in response to the changed variable

7. Example: An experiment to see if the length of a string will effect the number of swings of a pendulum in a minute.
Manipulated (Changed) Variable
Responding (Measured) Variable-
Controlled Variables-
length of string
number of swings in a minute
include: weight of pendulum,
height of drop, type of string, etc.

8. 8th grade WASL investigation format
Question
Hypothesis (if...than...because)
Materials
Procedures
Logical steps
At least one controlled variable
One changed variable
One measured variable, multiple trials
Data
procedures must tell what data is recorded either as statement in the procedures or by creating a blank data table for results.
Conclusion
Answer the investigative question or tell if the hypothesis was correct
Include data that support your conclusion. This must include the high data, low data and comparative language

9. Planning an Experiment
On the WASL students will always be given a sample scientific experiment before they are asked to design their own set of procedures
Consider using a structured inquiry activity from your curriculum as a springboard to help your students do a more open ended inquiry activity.

10. What do I want the students to know and understand?
Take a few minutes to consider the big ideas in a kit.
What do you want students to know and understand?
Is there a “springboard” inquiry investigation in the kit that will help you students to gain a deeper understanding of these concepts?

11. Choose a Lesson for an Investigation:
Choose a lesson that has room for asking questions.
Make sure the questions will be testable using the equipment and time constraints you have in class.
Consider whether the investigation in this lesson will help students gain a deeper understanding of the concepts you identified.

12. A tool to help students practice inquiry
Inquiry Boards
A tool to help students practice inquiry