Starting Strong: Inquiry-Based Strategies for a Successful School Year
By Michelle Buchanan, PhD, NBCT, U of Central Ark & Monica C. Meadows, Ed.D., U of Ark Little Rock,
As a new school year approaches, educators are busy preparing their classrooms, building lesson plans, and incorporating strategies to ensure a successful and engaging year for their students. Inquiry-based learning continues to be an effective approach to enhance student learning and curiosity in STEM content. Here, we will explore best practices for incorporating inquiry learning into your classroom as you get ready to welcome your students back to school.
One idea is to start with a question that stimulates curiosity and sets the stage for investigation. For example, a Formative Assessment Probe about mittens by Page Keeley asks students to predict the results of an experiment: How would the temperature reading on a thermometer change if the thermometer were placed inside a mitten? Three possible answers to the question are provided and students describe their thinking in choosing their answer. Give students the opportunity to test their response, collect and analyze data, explain and communicate their findings, and eventually lead students to a deeper understanding of the phenomena. This testing gives students the opportunity to confront their predictions and grapple with uncertainties as they develop a new explanation. Encourage a growth mindset by celebrating effort, perseverance, and the learning process. Help students understand that making mistakes and facing challenges are essential parts of learning. This mindset will support them in tackling complex problems and persisting through difficult investigations.
Beginning the school year with investigative questions sets the foundation for inquiry-based learning. There are several online resources educators can use to encourage the next generation of problem-solvers similar to Keeley’s Formative Assessment Probes (https://www.uncoveringstudentideas.org/books/formative-assessment-probes). The Youth Engineering Solutions and Engineering is Elementary curriculum that is free to download (https://yes.mos.org/). The Exploratorium provides teacher-tested activities that use low-cost materials (https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks). eCYBERMISSION (https://www.ecybermission.com/) provides problems for student teams to solve using scientific inquiry or the engineering design process. This free, online competition for middle-level grades provides multiple resources for the team leader and student teams.
As you are busy preparing for the new year remember, incorporating inquiry-based learning into your classroom can significantly enhance student engagement and curiosity in STEM subjects. By starting with thought-provoking questions and allowing students to explore, test, and analyze their predictions, you foster a deeper understanding of scientific phenomena and encourage a growth mindset. Utilizing resources like Keeley's Formative Assessment Probes, Youth Engineering Solutions, and activities from the Exploratorium, you can create a dynamic and supportive learning environment. Remember, the goal is not just to teach content, but to inspire a lifelong love of learning and problem-solving in your students. Embrace the journey of discovery and watch your students thrive as they tackle complex problems and persist through challenges. Here's to a successful and enriching school year filled with curiosity, creativity, and collaboration!
