IES Inquiry: Preparing Students to be Critical Thinkers and Science Literate Citizens

1
IES Inquiry Preparing Students to be Critical
Thinkers and Science Literate Citizens
2
AGIs Middle School Curriculum

• IES Investigating Earth Systems
• grades 5-8

3
Meeting New Standards

• Promote inquiry-based instruction
• Inquiry is an instructional outcome
• Equitable
• Developmentally appropriate
• Interesting and relevant to students
• Inquiry in professional development

4
Our View of Inquiry

• Learners ENGAGE in scientifically oriented
  questions.
• Learners give priority to EVIDENCE in responding
  to questions.
• Learners formulate EXPLANATIONS from evidence.
• Learners connect explanations to scientific
  KNOWLEDGE.
• Learners COMMUNICATE and JUSTIFY explanations.

5
ENGAGE in Scientifically Oriented Questions
What causes ocean currents?
6
EVIDENCE in Responding to Questions
Students investigate the following Salinity and
its effect on density Temperature and its
effects on density
7
EXPLANATIONS from Evidence

• Students use the maps to answer the following
• Patterns between surface currents and wind
  direction
• Form a hypothesis to explain the relationship
  between wind direction and surface currents
• Relationship between the source of a current and
  the temperature of the water in the current

8
Connect Explanations to Scientific KNOWLEDGE

• Students connect the following
• The movement of heat from low latitudes to high
  latitudes
• Relationship between wind direction a surface
  ocean current direction
• Effects of temperature and salinity on ocean
  circulation

9
COMMUNICATE and JUSTIFY Explanations

• Students consider on the following
• What evidence explains ocean currents?
• How realistic is the model you created for deep
  ocean circulation?

10
Student Outcomes

• Know and understand scientific ideas
• Understand how scientists study the natural world
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills