In this session, educators will explore the Planning and Conducting an Investigation practice from NGSS and explore the importance of scaffolding of materials and equipment, as well as moving students along a continuum of difficulty in the process of investigation. We emphasize the importance of student driven questions and how they drive the investigation process. The purpose of planning and conducting an investigation is ultimately to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence to address a scientific question. Supporting student planning of an investigation from their own questions activates students’ prior knowledge and takes them time, but also increases their engagement. Teachers need to provide students an opportunity to plan and revise their plan in order to effectively enact this NGSS practice. The methods and equipment used in an investigation impacts the accuracy of the data collected.
*Instructors recommend taking Inquiry Teaching Methods: Raising Questions from Phenomena before this workshop.
