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)

Presents a project in which 11th and 12th grade students from a high school Principles of Engineering course instruct 5th grade students in Newton's laws. (KHR)

Introduces the Living Machine at Darrow School which is an ecological design for wastewater treatment. Uses the facility as an interdisciplinary curriculum component. (YDS)

Studies effective inquiry tasks through transforming content, scientific thinking, and resources featured in scientists' authentic practices. Investigates how 59 inner-city 6th grade students performed in real-time forecasting situations involving fronts and pressure systems. Results show that real-world situations that closely mapped onto…

Reviews three types of collective learning networks, teams, and communities. Advocates learning communities as a powerful way to stimulate shared learning. Warns that, although technology enables networked learning, group dynamics are crucial and must be considered. Describes progressive inquiry and team roles as ways to support collective…

Describes the role that informal interpretative programs and facilities can play in providing inquiry-oriented science experiences. Presents two examples of scientific inquiry programs: investigating wetlands and investigating density. In both examples, participants formulate questions, collect data, and attempt to answer their own questions. (DLH)

Presents the opportunity to continue and enhance the dialogue about ways to research and understand children's discourse during science activities and inquiry processes by opening a window onto a variety of techniques, methods, and approaches to the analysis of one short discussion between several elementary students. (Author/MVL)

Questions asked by elementary students in response to narrative texts were coded by university and elementary teachers. The coding schedule was consistently applied. The community of inquiry approach helped develop students' critical analysis skills. Careful selection of texts was recommended for successful use of the approach. (Contains 23…