Five major differences between the rationalistic and naturalistic paradigms of inquiry are accounted for: the nature of reality; the nature of the inquirer-object relationship; the nature of truth statements; assumptions about causal relationships; and the role of values within disciplined inquiry. Thirty-one sources are appended. (EJS)

Assumptions underlying certain aspects of discovery-inquiry learning are examined. Inductive and hypothetico-deductive reasoning, principles which are now more or less taken for granted, will not always proceed smoothly. There do exist some identifiable human tendencies which can lead to bias in perception and interpretation of data. (AM)

Describes a history unit in which secondary students use the mysteriously carved Champlain's Rock (near Renfreu, Ontario) as a starting point for inquiry into the evidence of the French exploration of Eastern Canada. Students learn about hypothesis formation and testing, frames of reference, bias and prejudice, and they write two essays. (AM)

Presents teaching methods and learning activities to help high school students examine the extent of sex stereotyping and sex bias in their schools. Students investigate classroom dynamics, analyze the school yearbook, and interview administrators. They then make summary statements and form hypotheses. Sample forms are included. (KC)

Affirms the possibility of interdisciplinary psychology/religion courses in which both remain fully autonomous. Describes a course on inquiry into religious experience showing one way in which this possibility can be actualized. (Author/CK)

Highlights some National Science Board's science and engineering indicators that confirm that those who teach college-level science appear to be doing something right. Presents ideas about how they can continue to improve. (JRH)

Compares the nature of student thinking in confirmation and open-inquiry laboratory activities. Reports that student thinking processes exhibited in confirmation laboratories emphasized procedures and techniques--making sense of and doing the laboratory, whereas student thinking in open-inquiry laboratories emphasized data analysis--making sense…

Uses discourse processes to examine how two bilingual elementary school teachers in three classrooms framed science as disciplinary inquiry. Data sources were drawn from studies encompassing multiple years and multiple teachers and included extensive videotaped records of classroom interaction. Identifies cultural themes that included ways in…

Examines the emerging definition of science literacy from the authors of the science standards, policymakers' desire to standardize, and inclusive education perspectives. Proposes designing science curricula in light of inquiry learning, cultural and local relevance, an inclusive approach, and a real world setting that brings personal benefit to…

Examines how to reconcile constructivist pedagogy that emphasizes free student inquiry and self-correction with the demand that students learn content and inquiry methods required in the discipline-based educational standards, tracing this dilemma to an ambivalent regard for professional knowledge related to the pragmatist epistemology and…

Describes a twist on the egg-drop challenge activity for an 8th grade physical science unit. Students engage in active inquiry and explore the laws of physics, develop critical thinking skills, and practice problem-solving tasks. (NB)

Describes the formalization of a minicourse in which middle school students would meet once a week for one hour to critique and redesign an embryonic website, investigate and document their environment, and figure out ways to incorporate into the website what they saw, wondered about, and learned. Evaluates the effectiveness of the minicourse. (SG)

Describes an activity on density and its role on an object's floating or sinking. Uses canned regular and diet Coke soda pop to demonstrate differences in density. (YDS)

Explains the term "inquiry" and what it means in science instruction. Describes the types of inquiry--open or full inquiry, guided inquiry, coupled inquiry, and structured inquiry--in order to develop an understanding of the different aspects of inquiry among teachers. (YDS)