Removing the Mask of Removing the Mask of InquiryInquiry

Presented by the Delaware Valley Science FairsPresented by the Delaware Valley Science FairsBarbara LorenzonBarbara Lorenzon

Director of EducationDirector of Educationlorns4@aol.comlorns4@aol.com215-256-1956215-256-1956

Dick CloseDick CloseDirector of OutreachDirector of Outreach

Bill RissingerBill RissingerMentorship ProgramMentorship Program

What kinds of things should a What kinds of things should a person see in a classroom person see in a classroom where excitement about where excitement about

learning science is happening?learning science is happening?

Self Analysis SurveySelf Analysis Survey

Changing EmphasisChanging EmphasisThe National Science Education Standards envision change throughout the he National Science Education Standards envision change throughout the

systemsystem(NSTA Pathways to the Science Standards)

Less Emphasis on:Less Emphasis on:1.1. Transmission of teaching knowledge Transmission of teaching knowledge

by lectures by lectures

2.2. Learning science by lecture and Learning science by lecture and readingreading

3.3. Individual LearningIndividual Learning

4.4. Broad coverage of unconnected Broad coverage of unconnected factual informationfactual information

5.5. Science programs at different grade Science programs at different grade levels independent of one anotherlevels independent of one another

6.6. Maintaining current resource Maintaining current resource allocations for booksallocations for books

7.7. Following textbook chapter by Following textbook chapter by chapter as the curriculumchapter as the curriculum

8.8. Assessments provided by text Assessments provided by text emphasizing rote memoryemphasizing rote memory

More Emphasis on:More Emphasis on:1.1. Inquiry into teaching and learningInquiry into teaching and learning

2.2. Learning science through Learning science through investigation and inquiryinvestigation and inquiry

3.3. Collaborative learningCollaborative learning

4.4. Relating learning to real world, Relating learning to real world, scientific applicationsscientific applications

5.5. Coordinating the development of Coordinating the development of grade K-12 science programgrade K-12 science program

6.6. Allocating resources necessary for Allocating resources necessary for inquiry teachinginquiry teaching

7.7. Aligning course curriculum to local, Aligning course curriculum to local, state, and national science state, and national science standardsstandards

8.8. Aligning assessments according to Aligning assessments according to the core curriculumthe core curriculum

9.9. Student performed explorations Student performed explorations rather than just teacher rather than just teacher demonstrations demonstrations

How do we connect individual Secondary Science Courses How do we connect individual Secondary Science Courses into a Strong and Consistent Science Program?into a Strong and Consistent Science Program?

The standards state “the ability to The standards state “the ability to understand and conduct scientific understand and conduct scientific inquiry is an important goal for is an important goal for students in any school program…. students in any school program…. This is the heart of science.”This is the heart of science.”

What is inquiry?What is inquiry?

Your Thoughts?

Definition of InquiryInquiry and the National Science Education Standards, p. 23.

“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.”

What kinds of activities and skills do you think this definition describes?

According to the NSES they include:

Making observationsMaking observations Posing questionsPosing questions Examining books/sources to see what is Examining books/sources to see what is

already knownalready known Planning investigationsPlanning investigations Using tools to gather dataUsing tools to gather data Analyze and Interpret dataAnalyze and Interpret data Propose answers and explanationsPropose answers and explanations Communicate resultsCommunicate results

Inquiry CycleInquiry Cycle

DataCollection

TestableQuestion

ExperimentalDesign

Graph &StatisticalAnalysis

DrawConclu-

sion

PeerPresentation

StudentInterest

Lit.Research

Inquiry ContinuumInquiry Continuum Demonstration Typical School Guided Inquiry Student Directed Student ResearchDemonstration Typical School Guided Inquiry Student Directed Student Research

Lab (“Hands-On”) Inquiry InquiryLab (“Hands-On”) Inquiry Inquiry

Topic TeacherTopic Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher/Student Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher/Student

Question Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher/Student StudentQuestion Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher/Student Student

Materials Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher/Student StudentMaterials Teacher Teacher Teacher Teacher/Student Student

Procedures/Procedures/Design* Teacher TeacherDesign* Teacher Teacher Teacher/Student Student Student Teacher/Student Student Student

Results/Results/Analysis * Teacher Teacher/Student Student Student StudentAnalysis * Teacher Teacher/Student Student Student Student

Conclusions * TeacherConclusions * Teacher Student Student Student Student Student Student Student Student

*Students will apply process skills – the tools of inquiry*Students will apply process skills – the tools of inquiryAdapted from: “Inquiry: Learning from the Past with an Eye on the Future” by R. Bonnstetter (Electronic Journal of Sci.Ed, Adapted from: “Inquiry: Learning from the Past with an Eye on the Future” by R. Bonnstetter (Electronic Journal of Sci.Ed,

Vol.3,#1, 1998)Vol.3,#1, 1998)

Evaluate Your Inquiry Evaluate Your Inquiry Classroom Classroom

Practical applications for your Practical applications for your ClassroomClassroom

Some topics in your classroom lend Some topics in your classroom lend themselves much easier to teaching themselves much easier to teaching through inquiry.through inquiry.

What are some of those topics in What are some of those topics in your curriculum?your curriculum?

What are some topics that are best What are some topics that are best taught through reading/discussion?taught through reading/discussion?

How can you incorporate inquiry How can you incorporate inquiry skills into your classroom?skills into your classroom?

Select one of those topics you have Select one of those topics you have identified and plan out how you will identified and plan out how you will execute your lesson.execute your lesson.

ConclusionConclusion

Inquiry skills will be evaluated in the PSSA Science Assessment.

It will use content and then ask students to apply inquiry skills to use that content.

Mere recall of facts will not be sufficient.

Examples of PSSA QuestionsExamples of PSSA Questions

Handout of PSSA Grade 11 Handout of PSSA Grade 11

QuestionsQuestions

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