Foundations of Inquiry

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 10
Duration: 60 minutes
Unit: Exploring Science Through Inquiry (Lesson 1 of 30)
Curriculum Area: Science – Nature of Science
Achievement Objective: Understanding about science (Level 5 of the New Zealand Curriculum)

In this lesson, students will develop an understanding of the scientific method and its components, including observation, hypothesis formation, experimentation, and conclusion. They will engage in a hands-on activity to apply these principles in a fun and interactive way.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
✅ Define and explain the key stages of the scientific method.
✅ Understand the role of observation and questioning in scientific inquiry.
✅ Apply the scientific method through an interactive investigation.
✅ Work collaboratively, practising mahi tahi in their inquiry.

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Lesson Preparation

Materials Required

📝 Whiteboard and markers
📄 Printed Scientific Method Framework (for student reference)
🔬 Small mystery objects (e.g. sealed containers with unknown substances, unusual natural objects, or items with unique properties)
📊 Observation recording sheets
⏳ Stopwatch or timer

Teacher Notes: This lesson integrates wānanga by encouraging open discourse and collaboration. It also applies hōhonutanga, deep thinking, to stimulate curiosity and student-driven inquiry.

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Lesson Structure (60 minutes)

1. Introduction: The Nature of Science (10 mins)

1. “What is Science?” Brainstorm (5 mins)

   • Pose the question: What is science, and why do we use it?
   • Students call out responses while the teacher organises key points on the whiteboard.
   • Encourage students to think about Māori perspectives on observing the natural world.

2. Introducing the Scientific Method (5 mins)

   • Teacher introduces and breaks down the five key steps:
     • Observation: Noticing details
     • Hypothesis: Making an educated guess
     • Experiment: Testing your idea
     • Results: What happened?
     • Conclusion: What did we learn?
   • Relate this to real-world science (e.g., how scientists monitor Kauri dieback).

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2. Hands-On Activity: The Mystery Object Investigation (30 mins)

1. Grouping & Object Distribution (5 mins)

   • Students form groups of five.
   • Each group receives a sealed container or mystery object.
   • Their task is to use the scientific method to determine what could be inside or what the object might be.

2. Making Observations (5 mins)

   • Students record sensory observations (without opening the container).
   • Prompt them to describe texture, weight, sound, movement, and smell.

3. Forming & Testing Hypotheses (10 mins)

   • Groups develop a hypothesis about the object’s contents based on observations.
   • They think of tests they could conduct (e.g., shaking gently, feeling the weight, using a magnet if relevant).

4. Recording Results & Drawing Conclusions (5 mins)

   • Groups discuss whether their tests supported or rejected their hypotheses.
   • Each group writes a short summary of their findings.

5. Group Share & Discussion (5 mins)

   • Each group presents their findings to the class.
   • Discuss why different groups had different conclusions and link this to how science requires multiple tests and perspectives.

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3. Reflection & Wrap-Up (15 mins)

1. Scientific Thinking Discussion (5 mins)

   • Ask: What surprised you about today’s activity?
   • Encourage students to think about how the scientific method applies to real-world situations.

2. Quick Check for Understanding (5 mins)

   • Students fill in a short reflection:
     • One fact they learned today
     • One question they still have
     • One example of where they’ve used a basic version of the scientific method in daily life

3. Challenge Question & Close (5 mins)

   • Leave students thinking with:
     If you were in space and saw a distant planet, how would you use the scientific method to learn about it—without visiting?
   • Encourage curiosity for the next lesson.

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Assessment & Differentiation

Assessment for Learning

✅ Informal observation of group discussions and student engagement
✅ Quick reflection sheet responses
✅ Student presentations of findings

Differentiation Strategies

📌 Provide sentence starters to support students forming hypotheses
📌 Offer additional inquiry prompts for students needing more challenge
📌 Allow students to present findings visually or verbally based on preference

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Next Lesson Preview

Lesson 2: Observation vs. Inference
Students will learn the difference between making an observation and inferring a conclusion, reinforcing today’s skills through a new experiment.

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This lesson structure ensures engagement, collaboration, and deep thinking, while aligning closely with the New Zealand Curriculum’s Science strands and Māori perspectives in inquiry-based learning. 🚀