Science Inquiry Using the 5E Model
(Grades K-6) / Flex Course
PDI Course Number: 117T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC40271
Course Description
Do you find that, even after having students perform a variety of hands-on experiments and activities, they still struggle to truly understand the scientific phenomena being presented? The advent of the 21st century science standards has virtually changed how science is taught and subsequently learned, and the 5E model of science instruction has been proven to stimulate students' curiosity through an inquiry-based approach to learning. This online course is designed for K-6 teachers who wish to explore how to develop their students' deep critical-thinking skills through an inquiry approach to teaching called the 5Es. After being introduced to the 5E model of scientific inquiry, teachers will take a deep dive through each of the five phases — engagement, exploration, explanation, elaboration, and evaluation. Teachers will learn a variety of engaging instructional techniques and activities that are designed to encourage student exploration and stimulate students' metacognitive skills. Teachers will learn a variety of strategies to elicit and develop students' explanations of natural phenomena, including how to weave specific technology components into each phase of their 5E lessons so that students are further engaged in scientific inquiry. By the end of this course, teachers will be able to use the 5E instructional model to design and differentiate their science lessons and units so that the inquiry process becomes student-led, collaborative, and metacognitive. This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on university credit, click here.
"Wow-I really learned a lot about science instruction. There are many strategies I can take straight to my classroom. I teach science, but do not have a science background, so this class was great!" - Pamela Pond
This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UCSD.
You have up to one year from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.
Click here to view the course syllabus.
Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.
- The Push for Next Generation Science Standards
- Inquiry-Based Instruction
- Introduction to the 5E Model
- Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
- Test #1
- Phase One: Engage
- Eliciting Students' Ideas
- Engaging Instructional Techniques
- Assignment #2: Article reflection
- Test #2
- Phase Two: Explore
- Exploring and Investigating Scientific Phenomena
- Activities to Encourage Student Exploration
- Assignment #3: Share your expertise
- Test #3
- Phase Three: Explain
- Helping Students Synthesize New Knowledge
- Techniques and Strategies to Elicit and Develop Student Explanations
- Test #4
- Phase Four: Elaborate
- Phase Five: Evaluate
- Assessing Progression Toward Learning Outcomes
- Test #5
- Planning a Lesson Using the 5E Model
- Application and Differentiation of the 5E Model
- Technology and the 5Es
- Assignment #4: Create science lessons using the 5E model
- Assignment #5: Course Reflection
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