Investigation, INquiry, and STEM Training
Handout: Investigable Questions
Slides: Investigation, Inquiry, and STEM
See the resources below to learn more about inquiry and investigation in STEM, and discover new ideas to try out in your own learning environment. If you wish to learn more, or are interested in customizable training opportunities, contact us.
Investigation
Scientific Investigation and Investigable Questions
Investigating and exploring in science (and STEM more broadly) often involves the classic scientific method. And a huge part of the scientific method is inquiry, or questions.
Investigable questions are a type of questions that are capable of being investigated. Investigable questions are ones that you have the resources (be it time, knowledge, tools, etc.) to answer.
Non-investigable questions are ones that are unanswerable. Non-answerable questions might include philosophical or opinion-based ones, "big" questions (such as "how" or "why" questions), or "ask an expert" questions.
Why are investigable questions valuable?
Both non-investigable and investigable questions are valuable. But encouraging investigable questions in STEM environments can help learners be more engaged and hands-on in their STEM learning.
Selected Resources: Investigation
Blosser, Patricia. How to Ask the Right Questions. (2000). NSTA.
Discovery Education Science Fair Central: Investigation.
STEM
The Importance of STEM Role Models
Women and ethnic minority groups are still highly underrepresented in STEM fields. This is not due to a lack of ability and interest, but rather due to factors such as stereotypes, bias, fixed-mindset thinking, and a lack of relatable role models.
It is important for mentors and educators working with youth to combat stereotypes (such as ideas that STEM professionals are "nerds") and to promote positive concepts, such as emphasizing how STEM skills are life skills.
Inquiry in action
Inquiry
What is Co-Inquiry?
Co-Inquiry, or Cooperative Inquiry, is a method of teaching and learning that focuses on exploration, collaboration, communication, discovery, and open questions among groups of educators and learners.
How can Co-Inquiry play a positive role in STEAM and other learning environments?
Co-Inquiry principles and practices can be a way to foster participation and hands-on learning in STEAM and other types of learning environments. Aside from fostering more active environments, co-inquiry practices can also help educators and learners ask questions that are more open and investigable.
Selected Resources: Inquiry
Bulba, Dana. "What is Inquiry-Based Science?" Smithsonian Science Education Center. (2014).
Inquiry Strategies for the Journey North Teacher.
Just Science Now: What is Inquiry?
NSTA Position Statement: Scientific Inquiry (2004).
Rankin, Lynn. "Guest Editorial: Pathways to Inquiry." Science and Children. 48.6 (2011): 8-9.
Selected Resources: STEM Role Models