Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking Excel

Inductive, Deductive Scientific Inquiry and Method Work for All

Aug 9, 2009 Donald Reinhardt

Science works for inquiring, trained minds in primary grades, universities, research institutes and wherever true discovery of critical, scientific thought is promoted.

Scientific method and scientific inquiry are fundamental to teaching science well. Some science teachers never routinely use scientific method and inquiry, while others have tried and discarded these for regular teaching. Some use both all the time. Why the differences?

Science is Fact-Laden, Does Not Interest All, But is Teachable and Learnable

Science is not everyone's favorite subject, but it can become a more-favored topic. Science is not always easy, but it can be less difficult. Whether taught by a teacher, or learned by a student, the use of scientific inquiry and critical thinking contribute to more memorable, interesting science.

The basic sciences are fact-laden disciplines, laced with unique vocabulary, terminology, definitions, techniques and procedures. Science that is not presented, or received, in a structured, orderly, logical and interesting way creates overload and confusion. Teacher-dumped information soon is dumped also by students. That is why creative scientific inquiry is important.

Scientific Inquiry, A Classroom Demonstration of Dynamic Interaction and Learning

The teacher waved a large leaf high into the air and said, "Someone needs to give the definition of what is shown here." A dozen enthusiastic hands shot up, each student seeking attention to answer. This was a well-disciplined, enthusiastic class of 30 students. The teacher pointed to one young student who replied, "A leaf!" The teacher responded, "Anyone else for a definition?" One hand was raised. The teacher summoned the student's response. "It is a leaf, isn't it?" The teacher responded, "Yes, but how can it be defined?"

It was an "Aha!", "That's it!", "Eureka!" moment for many as they saw another way of looking at a leaf by not just naming it, but defining it. The hands were up, raised with vigor, again. Soon the leaf was "a bunch of green cells", "a photosynthetic part of a plant", "a green chemical factory", "a green machine", "chlorophyll cells and tissue" and a dozen other interesting definitions that were progressively added to the ever-expanding list written on the large whiteboard. A name is one thing, a definition is another — that was clear that day, and maybe forever, to many in that class.

Creative Scientific Inquiry, Scientific Method, Induction and Deduction, Photosynthesis Example

So there it was — the start of that science day. An observation by all, of a leaf. A declaration of what it was, at first a "leaf", but soon a much more defined structure. The definitions opened up a world of words that permeated the classroom air. It was fragrant with inspiration, thought, and excitement. Each student was discovering new thinking, insights and ways of grasping scientific reality and truth.

A leaf and photosynthesis moved the thinking further as the teacher raised more questions:

The green color is termed what? What does the pigment do?
Do we have pigment in us? (That question soon reveals melanin of the skin and hemoglobin of the blood).
What is photosynthesis?
Can anyone write the formula for photosynthesis?
What does the word synthesis mean?
Name some things that are synthesized?
How does photosynthesis work?
What is light?
What is a light spectrum? Which light makes photosynthesis work best?
What hypothesis can be made about photosynthesis?
What experiments can be done?
Could an animal ever be photosynthetic?
Can animals live without plant life?

Read more about photosynthesis and science methods.

Scientific Theory and Method in and Outside the Classroom

Scientific inquiry can happen anywhere two or more are gathered to learn. Creative classroom sparks occur with the scientific method. Classes and students vary greatly. Sometimes lessons work well, and sometimes they do not. The goal is to be structured, focused and directed whether as a teacher or student.

Source

Alters, S and B. Alters. 2006, Biology. John Wiley & Sons Inc., Hoboken, N.J. 755 pp

The copyright of the article Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking Excel in Scientific Inquiry is owned by Donald Reinhardt. Permission to republish Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking Excel in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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