IBSE Final

82 NaTIoNal SCIENCE TEaChERS aSSoCIaTIoN

Chapter 4 Teaching Science as Inquiry

the Essential Features of Inquiry in Science Classrooms

After publication of the National Science Education Standards (NRC 1996), we real-

ized the need for an addendum that elaborated on inquiry, as it was a prominent

feature of the standards. Work began on Inquiry and the National Science Education

Standards: A Guide for Teaching and Learning, and the addendum was published

in 2000. A key theme in this document was a description of the essential features

of inquiry in the specific context of science classroom and science teaching.

Following are the five essential features of inquiry.

1. Learner engages in scientifically oriented questions.

2. Learner gives priority to evidence in responding to questions.

3. Learner formulates explanations from evidence.

4. Learner connects explanations to scientific knowledge.

5. Learner communicates and justifies explanations.

The next sections describe the essential features in greater detail. These

descriptions are adapted from the aforementioned addendum (NRC 2000).

Table 4.1 (continued) Science Teaching Standards

teaching Standard E Teachers of science develop communities of science learners that reflect the intellectual rigor of scientific inquiry and the attitudes and social values conducive to science learning.

In doing this, teachers • display and demand respect for the diverse ideas, skills, and experiences of all students. • enable students to have a significant voice in decisions about the content and context of their work and require students to take responsibility for the learning of all members of the community. • nurture collaboration among students. • structure and facilitate ongoing formal and informal discussion based on a shared understanding of rules of scientific discourse. • model and emphasize the skills, attitudes, and values of scientific inquiry. teaching Standard F Teachers of science actively participate in the ongoing planning and development of the school science program.

In doing this, teachers • plan and develop the school science program. • participate in decisions concerning the allocation of time and other resources to the science program. • participate fully in planning and implementing professional growth and development strategies for themselves and their colleagues.