Inquiry Learning Objectives:
"When given a problem, plan and conduct an experiment in which you: form a question, do research, design a hypothesis, identify independent, controlled & dependent variables, collect data, analyze data with a graph, construct a conclusion, and report your results." A slide on what you could improve about your experiment at the end is always a nice touch and shows you are thinking about the process.  (I.L.O. 1.C)

Inquiry Learning Process:

*You will use the scientific method when doing inquiry learning. The scientific method will include the following steps:
1. Thinking of a question. This is the hardest step. Gather some background informatio (research), and then think of your question you want to answer. Make it interesting and not a waste of time and money. Be specific with your question. Don't use phrases such as: "what will happen if", or "is it possible". Ask questions where you will be gathering number data to place on your graph. Show your research!
2. Suggest a possible answer to your question in the form of a hypothesis. This is the easiest step. State your hypothesis in the positive, such as, "if I add fertilizer to my soil, my plant will grow taller."
3. Experiment - this includes:
a: Design your experiement. Change only 1 variable. Have a control.
b. Conduct your experiment. Probably the most fun part. Use photography to prove your work. Be safe.
c. Record and graph your data. Use a properly labeled "X / Y" graph.
4. Analyze your data.
5. Make a conclusion.
6. Suggest ways you could improve
Finally, you will prepare and present your data to the group using PowerPoint.

Grading Information: You will present at least one inquiry lab each term. They will be presented to the class. Opportunities are given at the start of classtime. The minimum requirements to present are to have photographic proof that you did what you say you did, and have a properly labeled graph. Lab presentations not meeting mastery will be regraded when mistakes are corrected.
 

Get some ideas from www.sciencebuddies.org - take the survey - you may choose any subject area

Silly experiment ideas you should NOT be doing:

-Will 6 of my my friends score higher on a memory test with rock or classical music playing?

NO - you may NOT do an inquiry project using ideas like the following:
-How much salt do I have to add to a glass of water to float an egg?
-Which soda makes a higher Mentos fountain?
-How can I make ice melt?
-Which will heat faster, blue water or red water, etc.?
-Which will heat faster, salt water or sugar water, etc.?
-How long does it take to mell ice or to boil water, or to boil a pan of water into steam?
-Will crackers (or pretzels, etc.) dissolve faster in coke, milk or water?
-Which ball will bounce higher? the cold one or the warm one?
-Which color spreads out fastest in milk?
-a survey of who likes what better...that isn't an experiment at all....Science doesn't deal with opinions

Seriously, these are just doing some silly thing that wastes time so you can get points. They may be ok for elementary school, but not here.
The idea is that you will learn to DO SCIENCE.
so find something that is actually interesting to you.

Your template - which MUST be used for your presentation - is attached below.
Please download it and over-write it to fill the pages with YOUR OWN information

if you choose to do your presentation on Google Presentations you must still have EVERY SLIDE from this PPT template