STEM Developing Inquiry Skills

Hands on STEM becomes easy to incorporate into your inquiry-based classroom with this easy prep, inquiry based learning experience that encourages thinking, communication and questioning within children, from 2nd-5th grade. Explore concepts such as:

• Structure
• Design
• Function
• Forces
• Scientific principles
• Measure
• And more!

The skills developed from these engineering science activities leave the planning to the children. Developing thinkers and inquirers is a focal point of the International Baccalaureate and inquiry-based learning. The speaking and listening opportunities are rich within this printable packet.

Each science activity uses minimal materials, mostly paper, sticky tape and scissors. Each task can be done as part of a group, thus adding social skills into the mix, or with a partner. You can have each group working on a single task or rotate the tasks around a few groups.

The children have to read through the instruction, discuss their ideas, decide upon a group plan, re-evaluate their plans based upon progress, constantly communicating with their peers. It is great to encourage their own awareness of their thinking and observations, questions and further inquiries as the project continues.

Simply print the cards and laminate them. There is a recording sheet attached to each card that can be photocopied and cut for any number of students that you wish. These are designed with each activity card in mind but can easily be mix and match too.

You will find:

• 12 science engineering activity cards
• 12 different recording sheets, easily differentiated.

Please check out my blog for more inquiry based learning ideas.

Enjoy!

Susan Powers

PYPteachingtools.com