Good and Bad Inquiry Statements

As stated previously, a strong inquiry statement should:

• be concise

• be specific

• have the possibility for more than one solution to the problem

• require further research and investigation

• connect to your chosen Global Context in a meaningful way

• have a purposeful outcome that benefits you or a community

For the following inquiry statements, see if you can identify whether the inquiry statement satisfies the requirements for a strong inquiry statement.

Personal and Cultural Expression

How do I use acrylic paint?

--This statement is too vague. What does the student want to do with acrylic paint?

How can this student connect painting to the GC (personal or cultural expression)?

Globalization and Sustainability

What is the 100-mile diet?

--This question only has one answer. There is no (stated) purposeful outcome that is beneficial to someone.

A better question might be “What are the pros and cons of the 100-mile diet and will I be able to do it for a whole month?”

Scientific and Technical Innovation How do I build a surfboard using environmentally friendly process and materials?

--Good inquiry question. It is specific, has more than one possible solution, and ties into the global context well.

Orientation in Time and Space

How can I learn more about myself through family narratives and stories told to me by my grandparents?

--This starts as a good inquiry statement but what does this student want to do with this information?

Maybe this student wants to create a poem about the family history.

#research