INQUIRE is reinvigorating inquiry-based science education
INQUIRE is helping to reinvigorate inquiry-based science education throughout Europe. Run by botanic gardens in 11 countries, INQUIRE teacher training courses are demonstrating how IBSE can inspire students in science and help address biodiversity and climate change.
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16/05/13 | Innsbruck, Austria
"Science Education in School"-Conference in Galati (Rumania)
On the 19th of April 2013 the fourth international conference „Science Education in School“ took place in Galati in the North of Rumania. Suzanne Kapelari, coordinator of the INQUIRE-Project, was one of over 100 participants and presented the INQUIRE-Project as well as the Commenius Project INSTEM. On the next day more than 250 pupils took part in the “Stars of Science”-Students Contest, where they presented scientific experiments to a jury of experts.
13/05/13 | London
Opening Doors on INQUIRE
More than 10,000 people flocked to this year’s European ‘Open Doors’ Fair in Brussels on May 4th. Partners from Innsbruck University Botanic Garden, Bordeaux Botanic Garden and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew organised an INQUIRE stand showing visitors how learning about plants and photosynthesis can be inspiring and inquiry based.
18/04/13 | London
'Decomposition challenge' - New INQUIRE resource
Learn how to use a mouldy and a fresh fruit to teach in an interesting way decomposition. This new lesson developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew supports the ‘How Science Works’ aspect of KS3 and KS4 curriculum.
10/04/13 | London
Empty Classroom Day
Join the Empty Classroom Day and take learning outdoors on Friday 5th July 2013.
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25/04/13 | London
Pitcher plants as tiny ecosystems – educational microcosms for IBSE
Large and complex topics, like how ecosystems work for example, can be challenging to explain. Using small, observable experiments can therefore be useful in simulating of landscape-scale processes. Scientists have used pitcher plants as tiny model ecosystems to study how “tipping points” are triggered in lakes and ponds. Perhaps this could generate some ideas for IBSE demonstrations?
19/04/13 | London
Curing ‘Plant blindness’ using an inquiry-based approach
Can IBSE be used to combat “plant blindness”? – a phenomena whereby plants are overlooked in our environment and considered “boring”. A recent study developed a Fighting Plant Learning Unit in order to test the use of IBSE to inform and inspire students on the topic of plant defence mechanisms.
03/04/13 | London
Climate change: still a hot topic?
Controversial plans to withdraw climate change from the UK Geography curriculum for under-14s have been met with fierce public opposition. But what does the new curriculum really teach?
14/03/13 | London
UK deer cull – Sensibility vs. Science.
Recommendations for a 50% cull in deer populations has caused heated debate over the morality of killing deer, versus the necessity of reducing numbers in order to lessen the detrimental impact of over-grazing on biodiversity and the survival of other native species.
Testimonials
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I am looking forward to learning to use IBSE in the classroom. Juliet Smith, teacher of KS2, London
Resources
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How can you teach the topic of decomposition by using as specimens a fresh and a mouldy fruit? This inquiry-based lesson developed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew will engage your students in lively discussions, will take them by surprise and stimulate their curiosity.
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