Chapter 1
Earth Science
Course: Elementary Education Multiple Subjects 5001
Subject: Elementary Education Science Subtest 5005
Chapter: Earth Science
Science as inquiry means learning science by doing science. It is a process that begins with curiosity and uses observation, experimentation, and reasoning to explore natural events. Inquiry encourages students to be active participants in their learning, to ask questions, gather data, and make evidence-based conclusions.
1. What is Scientific Inquiry
Scientific inquiry is a process that helps students understand how knowledge is built. Instead of simply memorizing facts, students learn by exploring and discovering. Inquiry involves a cycle of asking questions, investigating, collecting evidence, and drawing conclusions.
This process is not limited to laboratories. It happens in everyday situations such as cooking, fixing broken objects, gardening, or even observing the weather.
Scientific inquiry helps students develop important habits of mind such as curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to reason using evidence.