Do the National Science Education Standards support inquiry?
The National Science Education Standards emphasize inquiry in two different ways. Inquiry is addressed as both something students should know and as a tool they should use to learn about other science content. “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…” (p. 23). How do you prepare for an inquiry-based classroom? Alan Coburn (2000) offers suggestions for teachers as they prepare to develop inquiry-based instruction. He suggests that both students and teachers need time to gradually make the transition to an inquiry-based classroom. A good place to start is by eliminating pre-constructed data tables. Have students determine what data to record and how to record it. The next step might involve only giving partial instructions with labs. Finally student
