Inquiry is a very important part of our science curriculum.  When we are practicing our inquiry skills we begin by asking a question, we design an investigation to answer the question, we make a prediction, we collect and analyze data, we make observations and we finish by drawing a conclusion.  Right now we are working on a science unit that has a lot of opportunities for inquiry.

Our current science unit is about forces and motions.  The Vermont grade expectation is that “students will demonstrate their understanding of force by investigating and describing how different amounts of force can change the direction and speed of an object in motion.”  We have 3 ramp investigations during this unit.  The first investigates whether the length of a ramp effects the distance a ball will travel, the second investigates whether the height of a ramp effects the distance a ball will travel and the third investigates whether the mass of the ball effects the distance the ball will travel.  All three require us to control variables, run multiple trials, collect data, and draw conclusions.  It’s also really fun to play with balls and ramps.

This unit also includes a NECAP science practice task.  When we finish a NECAP science test each year we are allowed to keep the materials for the inquiry task.  We are also encouraged to use the materials to prepare for the NECAP science assessment.  Several years ago the fourth grade NECAP science assessment included a task about forces and motion.  We will conclude this unit by doing this task.  We have been practicing all of the steps, it will be our opportunity to show what we are able to do independently.

I will do my best to post pictures soon of one of our investigations.