[Jen] Inquiry is more than something you do in your classroom… it’s a natural way that humans approach the world.

We’re naturally observant and curious! I know with a 5-year-old at home, I’m always surprised by the types and numbers of questions I get and I’m always Google-ing something. I think that’s what I like about science, there’s always something more to learn.

Making observations and asking questions, those are just basic processes of science. Hey Kelly, what’chya looking at?

[Kelly] Well there’s a couple geese out in the water and I’m wondering if they’re starting to think about mating…

[Jen] It’s that time of year! When I’m outside, questions naturally arise. How do these geese keep their feet from freezing in those frigid waters out here? [goose sounds] And how come the birds are getting so noisy right now? And when I add doing citizen science to the mix, the questions can even get richer.

Whether I’m participating in eBird or Project FeederWatch, I’m observing patterns over time. Are the birds going to start nesting earlier this year because it’s looking like it’s going to be a warmer spring?

Citizen Science and outdoor observations are great opportunities for rich questions.

[Kelly] Research shows that kids should learn science by doing science, and that they should use the same methods that professional scientists do. Kids should be engaged in the types of investigations that allow them to ask and answer their own questions, especially if the answers to those questions aren’t known before hand.

Yeah, It is important to know content…but you also need to teach the “hows”of science. Teaching content alone can leave students with a naive understanding of what scientific inquiry is And it can leave them with the impression
that science is just a body of isolated facts.

[Jen] Citizen-science makes inquiry even more real-world. You’re answering your own questions…but you’re also contributing data to an authentic science project! That’s really motivating for students because they know that the data they’re collecting actually matters!

The combination of citizen science and inquiry? It’s really powerful!

[Kelly] As you move through this course, you’ll find ways to take advantage of the combination of citizen science and inquiry to spark student interest and capture their curiosity.

[Jen] Whether on birds, mammals, invertebrates, or phenology, there’s sure to be a citizen-science project for you and your students!