How Asking Questions And Defining Problems Are Key

Unlock the potential of Science & Engineering with our STEM K12 edu resources! Our comprehensive toolkit provides you with the knowledge and skills to ask and refine questions, as well as solve problems. From problem solving techniques to brainstorming strategies, you'll gain the confidence to tackle any challenge. Take your understanding of science and engineering to the next level - with STEM K12 edu resources!

• Unlock the potential of science and engineering with our comprehensive STEM K12 edu resources.

• Gain an in-depth understanding of problem solving techniques, brainstorming strategies, and more so you can tackle any challenge with confidence.

• Reach the highest level of learning and get ready to explore the fascinating world of science & engineering!

Questions to discuss with your students

What is the practice of science?

The practice of science is the process of gathering knowledge through observation, experimentation, and analysis. This includes the formulation of hypotheses, the design of experiments, and the collection of data. The goal is to improve our understanding of the natural world and use that knowledge to make predictions about how systems will behave in the future.

How can asking questions and defining a problem help inform decisions in science and engineering?

Asking questions and defining a problem can help inform decisions in science and engineering by providing the necessary context to make informed decisions. Asking questions and defining a problem allow scientists and engineers to better understand the situation, identify potential solutions, and evaluate which of those solutions is most suitable. By asking questions and clearly defining a problem, scientists and engineers can ensure that their decisions are based on accurate information and are appropriate for the specific context of the problem.

What are the benefits of asking questions and refining them in science?

Asking questions and refining them in science has a number of benefits. It encourages creative thinking and allows scientists to explore different possibilities and angles. It helps scientists to narrow down their focus and develop more specific hypotheses, which can then be tested systematically. Asking questions and refining them can also help to identify potential problems or gaps in existing research, leading to a deeper understanding of the topic. Finally, the process of asking and refining questions can help scientists discover new areas of study or develop innovative solutions to existing problems.

What steps can be taken to refine a question and make it suitable for scientific inquiry?

1. Define the question: Make sure the question is clearly worded and not open-ended.

2. Make a tentative hypothesis: Set the question in terms of one possible outcome and then make an educated guess about what might happen.

3. Conduct preliminary research: Search other sources for similar questions, see if your findings are confirmed or disputed by new information, and so on.

4. Take adequate notes: Have a place to record all of the relevant information you find and organize it in a way that makes it easy to follow different lines of inquiry and detect patterns where there might be chance correlations or relationships between variables or parts of the question.

How can asking questions lead to better descriptions and explanations of how the natural world works?

Asking questions can lead to better descriptions and explanations of how the natural world works by prompting further research and investigation. By asking questions, scientists can identify gaps in their understanding of the natural world and then use this information to develop hypotheses or theories that can be tested and refined through experimentation. Through this process, scientists can develop a deeper understanding of the natural world and be able to explain it more accurately.

How does asking questions help us understand the designed world?

Asking questions can help us understand the designed world by allowing us to gain insight into the motivations behind a design, and how it functions. Questions can also help us identify areas of improvement or potential flaws in a design, which can potentially lead to more effective and efficient solutions. Finally, asking questions can help us gain a deeper understanding of the design process itself, which can be beneficial for understanding how to better approach designing future products.

What are some examples of empirically tested questions in science and engineering?

1. Does the addition of a certain material to a composite increase its strength?

1. Does the addition of a certain material to a composite increase its strength?

2. Which of these is the most efficient design for a car engine: an engine with two cylinders or an engine with four cylinders?

3. How can structural engineers design bridges that are stronger but less expensive to build?

Reference-

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2012. A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/13165.