How to Get Into Inquiry-Based Learning (Part 4: 4 Student Inquiry Skills to Nurture and Assess)

Part four of this video series by the Ontario Science Centre highlights how this approach builds critical skills like thinking, planning, communication, and data analysis through active problem-solving, while also enabling effective content assessment beyond traditional tests. It emphasizes four key skills—brainstorming, planning, data collection, analysis, and communication—and shows how teachers support learning by engaging with student discussions and encouraging meaningful data use, even with young learners. Communicating results enhances understanding and offers cross-curricular assessment opportunities. Frameworks like “Growing Success” guide balanced assessment through observations, conversations, and student work. This video demonstrates how inquiry-based learning combines skill development with content mastery in a flexible, engaging way for teachers.

Here are the other parts of this video series:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3