Inquiry-Based Lessons

These examples are provided as resources for professional development sessions provided by authorized eMINTS instructors and staff and may not be copied or redistributed without the express written consent of the eMINTS National Center. To request permission, contact emints-info@emints.org.

Session Resources

Experiencing Inquiry-based Lessons

Option 1:  Some Float and Some Don’t

ExploreLearning. Density Lab.
http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspDetail&ResourceID=17

Ask A Scientist. Density and Floating.
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00136.htm

NOVA Online. Buoyancy Basics. November, 2000.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lasalle/buoybasics.html

Option 2:  Wikipedia: Information or Misinformation

Kendrick, M. (2006). Wikipedia:  Information or Misinformation September, 2006. Area 1 Missouri eMINTS.
http://www.emints.org/xmodres/addresources/wikipedia/

Option 3:  Parachute Drop

Henderson, T. (2007) . Multimedia Physics Studios: Skydiving .
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/mmedia/newtlaws/sd.html

All Science Fair Projects. Science Fair Experiments: Make a Parachute.
http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/science_fair_projects/57/690/3e60d8ed99575e5f2272f24654109b4a.html

Ranger Danger Dan. How a Parachute Works.
http://puzzling.caret.cam.ac.uk/game.php?game=parachute

Cyberphysics. Terminal Velocity: A Skydiver Example .
http://www.cyberphysics.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/topics/forces/terminal_velocity.htm

Physics of Skydiving.
http://www.lancs.ac.uk/ug/shrine/

Defining and Designing Essential Questions

MathStar. Essential Questions. New Mexico State University College of Education..
http://mc2.nmsu.edu/mathnm/exploration1/unit/content_questions.html

McKenzie, J. (1996). Framing Essential Questions. From Now On, 6(1).
http://www.fno.org/sept96/questions.html

Clifford, P. & Friesen, S. Creating Essential Questions. Galileo Educational Network.
http://www.galileo.org/tips/essential_questions.html

The eMINTS Constructivist Lesson Plan Form

eMINTS National Center. (2005). Constructivist Lesson Plan Form - PDF. April, 2005.
http://www.emints.org/xmodres/addresources/constructivistlessonplanform-prompts.pdf

eMINTS National Center. (2005). Constructivist Lesson Plan Form - Word. April, 2005.
http://www.emints.org/tools/constructivistlessonplanform.doc 

eMINTS National Center. (2005). Inquiry-Based Lessons.
http://www.emints.org/xmodres/examples/inquirybased/index.shtml

What Does an Inquiry-based Lesson Look Like?

eMINTS Digital Stories Videos
http://emints.org/about/video/
Mathys, L. (2004). Westward Ho.
http://emints.org/about/video/#westward
Uptegrove, J. (2004). Crossroads.
http://emints.org/about/video/#crossroads

Educational Broadcasting Corporation. (2004). Concept to Classroom:  Inquiry in Action.
Elementary
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/demonstration.html

Camden, S. (2000). Show Me Missouri’s Temperatures. InTime.
Upper Elementary Science
http://www.intime.uni.edu/video/031moue/8/

Hemphill, N.E. (2000). Dig It. InTime.
Upper Elementary Science and Social Studies
http://www.intime.uni.edu/video/027iaue/8/

Gleason, C. Digestion: Where Do I Get My Energy From?
Middle School Life Science
http://www.intime.uni.edu/video/042mims/8/

Gleason, C.I. (2000). What is the Relationship between Pitch and Amplitude? InTime.
Middle School Physical Science
http://www.intime.uni.edu/video/055mims/8/

Gleason, C.I. Weather Model Using Model It.
Middle School Physical Science
http://www.intime.uni.edu/video/056mims/8/

Robinson, D. & Uhlenhake, K. (2000). Are you Nutritionally Correct? InTime.
Vocational Family and Consumer Science
http://www.intime.uni.edu/video/060iahs/8/

Gambs, J. (2000). Congressional Law Making. InTime
Senior High Government
http://www.intime.uni.edu/video/028iahs/8

General Resources

Inquiry-based Learning

Institute for Inquiry. Exploratorium.
http://www.exploratorium.edu/IFI/about/philosophy.html

Center for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering. Inquiry and the National Education Standards. National Research Council.
http://books.nap.edu/html/inquiry_addendum/index.html

Educational Broadcasting Corporation. (2004). Concept to Classroom: Inquiry-based Learning.
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/index.html

The Miami Museum of Science. (2001). Constructivism and the 5Es.
http://www.miamisci.org/ph/lpintro5e.html

Educational Development Center. (2001). How to Develop an Inquiry-based Project. Youth Learn.
http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/activities/howto.asp

Educational Development Center. (2001). An Introduction to Inquiry-based Learning. Youth Learn.
http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/approach/inquiry.asp

eMINTS Evaluation Team. (2003). Analysis of 2002 MAP Results for eMINTS Students.
http://www.emints.org/evaluation/reports/map2002.pdf
Connects student achievement to inquiry-based teaching strategies.

eMINTS Evaluation Team. (2002). Analysis of 2001 MAP Results for eMINTS Students.
http://www.emints.org/evaluation/reports/map2001-emints.pdf
Connects student achievement to inquiry-based teaching strategies.

Collier, C., Johnson, J., Nyberg, L., & Lockwood, V. Frequently Asked Questions about Inquiry. Learning Science Through Inquiry. Annenberg Media.
http://www.learner.org/channel/workshops/inquiry/resources/faq.html

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Clark, D. (1999). Learning Domains or Bloom’s Taxonomy: The Three Types of Learning.
http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/bloom.html

Dalton, J. & Smith, D. (1986) Extending Children’s Special Abilities – Strategies for primary classrooms. Teachers on the Web: Aussie School House.
http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/researchskills/dalton.htm

Tools for Promoting Inquiry

Theroux, P. The Inquiry Process. Enhance Learning with Technology.
http://members.shaw.ca/priscillatheroux/inquiry.html

North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. KWL Charts. Learning Points Associates.
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/learning/lr2kwl.htm

Porter, B. Grappling’s Technology and Learning Spectrum.  
http://www.bjpconsulting.com/files/MAPPSpectrum.pdf

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S).
http://cnets.iste.org/students/index.shtml

Reviewed November 17, 2008.