Tried and True: Taking flight with an inquiry approach

by: Kathryn Silvis

This paper airplane lesson has been used with sixth-grade students to introduce scientific terms and concepts that students need to know before they design and conduct their own inquiry experiments. In addition to science concepts, mathematics skills are embedded in this lesson as students measure paper airplane flights to the nearest centimeter and calculate range, mode, and median in a hands-on way. The 5E model provides a way to organize inquiry-based instruction, and focuses on actively involving students in the learning process (Carin, Bass, and Contant 2005).

Details

Type Journal ArticlePub Date 9/1/2008Stock # ss08_032_01_75Volume 032Issue 01

NSTA Press produces classroom-ready activities, hands-on approaches to inquiry, relevant professional development, the latest scientific education news and research, assessment and standards-based instruction.

Learn More