Inquiry and Project-based Learning

Both the National Academy of Science and the NCTM Standards recognize that successful scientific inquiry and mathematical problem solving require that students be critical and creative thinkers.

To make learning meaningful to children, it requires connecting the curriculum to questions they have about the natural world. Children learn best when they build knowledge from their own experiences.  "Hooking" new knowledge to prior knowledge or experience is key.

In inquiry-based classrooms, learners (including the teacher) are engaged in doing. They are making observations; posing questions; examining resources; conducting investigations; reviewing what is already known; gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data; proposing answers, explanations, and predictions; and communicating the results.  In other words:  Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking and Creating (21^st Century Skills).

In a project-based classroom, learning is built upon authentic learning activities that engage student interest and motivation. These activities are designed to answer a question or solve a problem and generally reflect the types of learning and work people do in the everyday world outside the classroom - Sounds like INQUIRY.

Project Based Learning teaches students 21 st century skills as well as content. These skills include communication and presentation skills, organization and time management skills, research and inquiry skills, self-assessment and reflection skills, and group participation and leadership skills.

Both inquiry and project-based learning allows students to reflect upon their own ideas and opinions, exercise voice and choice, and make decisions that affect project outcomes and the 

learning process in general.

As learners actively build and construct knowledge and theories about the world, they gain ideas as well as an understanding of how scientists and other professionals work.  The inquiry is essential to learning.  It provides connection to prior knowledge, a focus on 21st Century skills,  and experiences that is critical for new and deep learning to occur.