Nebraska's Inquiry-Based Science

As much as possible, please include the following items in any activity that is submitted through the form on this page.

1. Clear and concise concept

2. NeSA Inquiry indicators

3. NeSA content indicators

   1. This may be difficult for advanced classes

4. NGSS content indicators (not required, but helpful)

5. Activity is student-centered and inquiry-based

   1. One or two guiding questions “anchor” the activity and provide a means of building student understanding up to the formation of the concept

   2. Content follows student experiences

   3. Activities are based on open-ended discussions, investigations, and student reflections

   4. Students are allowed to approach the guiding question through multiple pathways

   5. Teacher provides guidance as students arrive at concepts through analyses and conclusions from activities

   6. Students are provided with opportunities to share information with peers and teacher

   7. Students provide a reasonable explanation or statement of goal concept supported by facts/data from activity

6. Assessment recommendation included

   1. This can be formative or summative

 

NOTE: Not every inquiry-based lesson includes the entire scientific inquiry process from questions to conclusions; however, it is important to include as much of the inquiry process as possible.