How can science kits that are not specifically designed for inquiry be extended to encourage inquiry?
Many science kits are full of excellent materials. Try to engage students in conversation about these materials before you engage in activities with designated outcomes. Kits that are not designed for an inquiry approach to teaching and learning tend to encourage pre-determined “hands-on” projects, whereas inquiry requires students to generate questions and more questions before they look for the answers. For example, in a traditional classroom, students might look at a diagram and then listen to a lecture about a topic. To encourage inquiry, you can give students an opportunity to ask their own questions about phenomena students then act as problem-solvers rather than fact-finders.
