Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) Teaching in Iran s Elementary Schools

Teaching Science is not about preparing students for a world that is static and fixed, but it concerns getting students ready to cope with changes and challenges in their lives. Traditional direct instruction in Science generally focuses on mastery of content with less emphasis on the development of scientific skills and attitudes; students are the receivers while the teacher is the dispenser. This scenario does not help students learn in a meaningful manner. In recent years, a new method of Science Teaching called Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) is revealed. It is founded on the inquiring, innovation and teamwork potential of students. Developing a question, individual answering, group answering, testing, knowledge production, expanding to other circumstances, and developing new question are the steps of IBSE teaching respectively. In the current study, some skilled teachers (of elementary schools) who underwent their teaching practices in successive semesters participated. The study employed qualitative and quantitative research design whereby data were mainly obtained through direct interview and in the form of lesson plans. The results of the study showed that the Inquiry Based Science Education (IBSE) teaching strategies employed were able to stimulate excitement among the students when learning Science.