Science magazine launches new Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction....

Have you ever actively participated in a science lab that left a lasting impact on you? Have you ever taught an interactive science lab and watched as students lit up with understanding? Science would like to recognize efforts such as these with the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction, which has been established to encourage innovation and excellence in education by recognizing outstanding, design-based engineering and inquiry-based science education modules. 

The prize is open to any module where students become invested in exploring questions through activities that are at least partially of their own design. Rather than a typical laboratory exercise that begins with an explanation and results in one correct answer, an design-based or inquiry-based lesson might begin with a scenario or question and then require students to propose possible solutions and design some of their own experiments.

Winners will be selected by the editors of Science with the assistance of a judging panel composed of teachers and researchers in the relevant science fields. Individuals responsible for the development of the winning resources will be invited to write a short essay that describes the resource for publication in Science in 2013. We encourage all members of the scientific community to explore their classrooms, departments, colleges, and universities for nominations in order for the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction to truly represent the best in science education.

For more information and to download applications please visit http://scim.ag/inquiryprize

Please contact Dr. Melissa McCartney at mmccartn@aaas.org with any questions.