National Inquiry Leadership Project

Exploratorium, San Francisco CA

Investigators

Abstract

9911834 RANKIN The Exploratorium's Institute for Inquiry works with teams of district professional developers and leaders to help them incorporate inquiry into their elementary science program reform plans in ways consistent with the vision outlined in the National Science Education Standards. This project would expand and broaden that work through the research and development of five modules designed to enhance the capacity of professional development providers to introduce elementary teachers to inquiry-based approaches to science teaching, insure appropriate usage and explanation of science content, and improve the quality of professional development in elementary science education. Each module will include a core set of inquiry-based activities that can be used by science specialists as they work with elementary teachers to help them improve classroom instruction. The modules will include: "An Introduction To Inquiry;" "Hands-on Curriculum Toward Enhanced Inquiry;" "Learning Content Through Inquiry;" "Classroom Strategies for Teaching Inquiry and Assessing Student Learning;" and "Designing In-depth Inquiry Experiences." All modules will be made available at no cost and will be able to be accessed via the Exploratorium website.