PS.6 Inquiry

Inquiry can be defined as the skills necessary to carry out the process of scientific or systemic thinking.  In order for inquiry to occur, students must have th opportunity to ask a question, formulate a procedure, and observe phenomena.

1. Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS): Science > Physics > Science Processes and Inquiry > PS.6
   

   Inquiry - Inquiry can be defined as the skills necessary to carry out the process of scientific or systemic thinking. In order for inquiry to occur, students must have the opportunity to ask a question, formulate a procedure, and observe phenomena. The student will accomplish these objectives to meet this process standard.

   Content	Skills	Learning Targets	Big Ideas	Essential Questions
   Inquiry Observations Questions Hypotheses Experiments Conclusions Evidence	3 - Carry out (Scientific thinking) 3 - Make (Observations) 6 - Pose (Questions) 6 - Formulate (Testable hypotheses) 3 - Carry out (Experiment) 3 - Make (Conclusions based on evidence)	3 - I can carry out scientific thinking. 3 - I can make observations. 6 - I can pose questions. 6 - I can formulate a testable hypotheses. 3 - I can carry out an experiment. 3 - I can make a conclusion based on evidence.	A. Inquiry is the key that unlocks our understanding of the world around us.	A.1 What process is used in inquiry to learn about the world around us? A.2 What are our observations focused on? A.3 What question can I compose about an observation? A.4 How do I formulate a testable hypothese based on my question posed? A.5 What should the experiment look like that tests my hypothese? A.6 What conclusion(s) can I make based on the results of the experiment?

2. Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS): Science > Physics > Science Processes and Inquiry > PS.6 > O.4
   

   Inquiries should lead to the formulation of explanations or models (physical, conceptual, and mathematical). In answering questions, students should engage in discussions (based on scientific knowledge, the use of logic, and evidence from the investigation) and arguments that encourage the revision of their explanations, leading to further inquiry.

   Content	Skills	Learning Targets	Big Ideas	Essential Questions
   Inquiries Explanations Models Questions Models Physical Conceptual Mathematical Discussions Scientific knowledge Logic Evidence Arguments Explanations	6 - Formulate (Explanations) 6 - Formulate (Models) 2 - Discuss (Explanations) 5 - Argue (Explanations)	6 - I can formulate explanations based from inquiries. 6 - I can formulate models based on inquires. 2 - I can discuss my explanations for possible revision(s). 5 - I can argue my explanations for possible revision(s).	A. Explanations and modeling to communicate results of inquires produces deeper understanding. B. Central to the scientific process are discussions and arguments based on specific knowledge and processes.	A.1 When is an explanation a good description of the inquiry investigation? B.1 What knowledge should be the focus of a discussion about an inquiry investigation? B.2 What process should be the focus of a discussion about an inquiry investigation?

3. Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS): Science > Physics > Science Processes and Inquiry > PS.6 > O.2
   

   Design and conduct physics investigations in which variables are identified and controlled.

   Content	Skills	Learning Targets	Big Ideas	Essential Questions
   Investigations Variables Controls	6 - Design (Investigation) 3 - Conduct (Investigation) 1 - Identify (Variables)	6 - I can design a physical science investigation. 3 - I can conduct a physical science investigation. 1 - I can identify variables	A. Ability to design and conduct investigations where variables are identify and controlled is the ONLY way to conduct a formal science experiment.	A.1 How does one design an investigation around variables? A.2 Why should there be controlled variables?

4. Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS): Science > Physics > Science Processes and Inquiry > PS.6 > O.1
   

   Ask a scientific question, formulate a testable hypothesis, and design an appropriate experiment relating to the physical world.

   Content	Skills	Learning Targets	Big Ideas	Essential Questions
   Inquiry Hypothesis Design Experiment Physical world	4 - Ask (Scientific questions) 6 - Formulate (Hypothesis) 6 - Design (Experiment)	4 - I can ask scientific questions. 6 - I can formulate a testable hypothesis. 6 - I can design an experiment related to the physical world.	A. A hypothesis and a well designed experiment is central the the scientific process.	A.1 How does one know if a hypothesis is testable? A.2 How does one know if a designed experiment is appropriate for what is observed in the physical world?

5. Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS): Science > Physics > Science Processes and Inquiry > PS.6 > O.3
   

   Use a variety of technologies (e.g., hand tools, measuring instruments, computers, probeware, graphing calculators, digital cameras, digital balances, computer simulations) to collect, analyze, and display data).

   Content	Skills	Learning Targets	Big Ideas	Essential Questions
   Inquiry Investigations Data Technology Hand tools Measuring instruments Computers Probeware Graphing calculators Digital cameras Digital balances Computer simulations	2 - Use (Technologies) 3 - Collect (Data) 4 - Analyze (Data) 6 - Display (Data)	2 - I can use technology to manipulate data. 3 - I can use technology to collect data. 4 - I can use technology to analyze data. 6 - I can use technology to display data.	A. The use of technology can facilitate gathering investigation data, its analyze and display.	A.1 What technology can be used to collect data? A.2 What technology can be used to analyze data? A.3 What technology can be used to display data?