What is a core aspect of effective science instruction that fosters inquiry in middle childhood?

• A. Lectures and worksheets
• B. Hands-on investigations, asking testable questions, planning and conducting experiments, collecting evidence, and communicating explanations
• C. Pure memorization of facts
• D. Reading only lab manuals

Answer: (B)

Fostering inquiry in middle childhood centers on engaging students in authentic scientific practices: posing questions they want to answer, planning and carrying out investigations, collecting and analyzing evidence, and communicating their explanations. This hands-on, student-driven approach helps learners build understanding by testing ideas, observing outcomes, and reasoning from evidence, which deepens their conceptual grasp and ability to explain scientific phenomena. When students are actively involved in designing experiments and interpreting results, they see how conclusions emerge from data rather than from facts presented by the teacher. By contrast, lectures and worksheets tend to be passive, memorization of facts doesn’t develop investigative skills, and reading only lab manuals limits opportunities for inquiry, collaboration, and reflection.