A study of inquiry-based informal science education in an urban high school physics class

This study shows the potential of an informal science education experience as a supplement to an inquiry-based learning environment. The radio activity addressed three of the five inquiry-based learning challenges presented by Edelson, Gordin, and Pea, and incorporated a degree of technology to the learning environment. The level of questioning by the students increased dramatically after the activity and can be correlated to the participation by the students in the activity itself. While the details of many of the questions asked after the activity were directly related to the items discussed on the show, this remarkable increase in the level of questioning may be correlated to the amount of learning that took place during the activity. Although formal educational constructs are essential components to the current educational system, an inquiry-based, informal, interactive activity may be used to enhance the learning experience at all levels.