INQUIRY Q2

What are the essential features of inquiry?

Essential Features of Classroom Inquiry- NSES

1. Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented questions.

Scientific questions are those that can be answered. These questions typically start with "how" instead of with "why".

2. Learners give priority to evidence, which allows them to develop and evaluate explanations that address scientifically oriented questions.

Scientists obtain evidence as scientific data by recording observations and measurements.

3. Learners formulate explanations from evidence to address scientifically oriented questions.

Scientific explanations are consistent with the available evidence and can extend beyond current knowledge to propose new understandings.

4. Learners evaluate their explanations in light of alternative explanations, particularly those reflecting scientific understanding.

Scientific explanations are subject to criticism and revision therefore scientists may consider alternative explanations.

5. Learners communicate and justify their proposed explanations.

Scientists communicate their results in such detail that other scientists can attempt to replicate their investigations.

Inquiry lessons can be described as either full or partial with respect to the five essential elements of inquiry described in the table below: