ABSTRACT
Everyone gathered around the giant, prehistoric-looking reptile and gazed in amazement at the ancient creature. In inquiry science, children learn about concepts by being involved in the science processes. Doing science in the real world outside the classroom is a messy business, and is open to interpretation and change. While hands-on science is finding its way into classrooms across the country, researchers in science teaching and learning are discovering that an inquiry approach can have a positive effect on student achievement, especially for poor students and for those learning English as a second language. An abundance of research tells us that children construct their own knowledge by testing ideas and approaches based on their prior knowledge and experience, applying these to new situations, and integrating the new knowledge with preexisting intellectual constructs. Children derive their naïve conceptions through limited observation and experience.
