Inquiry

Questions for inquiry are important on both the part of the student and the teacher. In order for inquiry to take place, students and teachers must make observations, ask questions, study what is known, investigate, gather, analyze, and interpret data, propose answers, explanations, and predictions, and share results (NSES 134.) This is important because it allows students to take a deeper look into what they are studying and come up with/understand the reasoning behind scientific knowledge. Questions for inquiry are important because it goes beyond memorizing facts by allowing one to investigate and understand meaning. This is important because students can then use this knowledge, make sense of it, and apply it to their everyday lives. Inquiry allows one to try and find answers, rather than just memorizing answers. Inquiry is important for teachers because it allows them to develop both long-term and short-term goals for their students. Inquiry is also a way to get all students involved because it allows for students to develop ways that they can participate fully in science learning. Inquiry is important because it allows learners to engage in scientifically oriented questions, it gives priority to evidence, allows students to put together explanations, and it allows students to relect on their scientific understanding through communication. Helping students develop meaningful questions will allow them to answer their questions in a meaningful way, based on understanding through inquiry.
1. How do ancient animal fossils provide evidence about extinct life in a certain area?
2. What do plant fossils tell us about a habitat of a certain area?