Teacher Tip: The Power of Questions.

The need for asking the right questions has long been recognized by scientists, and this notion should be applied to the classroom. By asking them questions, you encourage students to consider different options and think critically.

When students are challenged to ask what-if questions, they become empowered to discover new answers, rewrite rules, and question conventional wisdom. They begin to build the foundations of thinking that will help them face problems head-on rather than accept realities as they seem. Asking students to consider different scenarios forces them to think outside the box and develop creative solutions. By nurturing these skills early on, we can set our students up for success no matter where their future takes them.

Science is Elementary Tip: You can support the development of scientific reasoning by asking children open-ended questions and encouraging them to ask their own questions. Our lesson plans are filled with questions to help you. You can keep it up with your children or grandchildren. Encourage them to ask "why" and "how" questions about the world around them. They can explore the hypothetical, "What would happen if....", then help them create an experiment to answer some of these questions.