I as well thought Chapter 1 was a very easy read. I felt that this chapter had a lot of good ideas and suggestions for teachers.
It goes on to explain that "inquiry instruction is an approach to science teaching focusing on understanding the world by questioning, investigating, observing, and explaining the order of the world around us." (Bass 25)
Chapter 1 goes on to talk major outcomes of science instruction that should include the following 3 goals or proficiencies which are: 1.) conceptual knowledge and understanding in science. 2.) Abilities to carry out scientific inquiries. 3.) Understandings about the nature of science and scientific inquiry. Proficiency 1 is all about getting facts, concepts, principles, theories, models, and building conceptual understandings. Proficiency 2 is about asking questions about events in the environment, planning and conducting a simple investigation, using appropriate tools to gather data, using evidence and scientific knowledge to develop explanations, and communicating all of that to others. Proficiency 3 is all about understanding science. Science is something people do and create, it is a way of answering questions, it is generated through questions and investigations, it is tentative, it is presented to the community for critical evaluation, and scientists displays certain attitudes and habits of mind in doing science.
I feel that after reading this chapter, that science should be stressed more in schools. I remember when I was in grammar school; I didn't remember doing any kind of experiments or observations until middle school. Middle school is where things became more hands on and finding things out on my own without reading from the book. I remember doing 3 dissections in middle school: owl pellet, a perch, and a frog. I always learned a lot from hands on experiences and so should every other child. I feel that teachers need to experiment more instead of doing everything right from the book. I thought the little experiments in the book looked fun for younger children. I think trying to predict how many drops of water can fill the cup is a good way to get them to think and use their math skills.
I also feel that stressing science at a young age helps them in the long run when going into the real world. According to Bass, science at an early age helps to “ensure that students can successfully engage in scientific, technological, and medical careers and participate in a scientific society.”