What is project-based inquiry?
An inquiry is finding out an answer by asking questions and checking facts. A project is work with a goal and a time limit. In project-based inquiry you solve a real problem step by step and use IT (information technology: computers, phones, spreadsheets, forms, programs) to help.
The steps are: Problem, Question, Data, Solution, Present. After presenting, you reflect and improve.
Finding a problem
Look around you. Where do people waste time, money or effort? Where does something go wrong again and again? Write a list of 3 to 5 ideas.
- Real: it happens to real people near you.
- Small enough: you can finish it in a few weeks.
- Measurable: you can count or compare something.
Then turn the idea into a clear question: not "The canteen is bad" but "How many minutes does a student wait at the canteen?" Talk to the people affected so you understand the problem from their side.
Collecting and checking data
Data means facts and numbers. You can collect them by counting, timing, a survey form or by reading trusted sources. Collect on more than one day so one odd day does not fool you. Write the data in a table. Check for mistakes such as a missing day or a number typed wrongly. Always ask permission before you collect information about people, and do not store names if you do not need them.
Building an IT solution
Now use IT to solve the problem. Choose the simplest tool that works:
- Spreadsheet: table, average, chart, a "what if" model.
- Online form: collect answers from many people.
- Program or app: repeat a rule many times, for example a token number system.
- Database or simulation: keep a lot of records or try ideas safely before spending money.
Test your solution with real numbers. If it fails, find out why, fix it and test again. This loop of build, test, improve is the heart of the work.
Presenting results
A good presentation answers your question in a few minutes. Plan three parts: problem and question, what we found (chart + numbers), what we suggest and what is next. Use one idea per slide, large text and a clear chart with labels and units. Say how you collected the data and what you are not sure about. Give credit to people and sources you used. End by asking for feedback, and note what you would do better next time.
Key formulas and definitions
- Steps: Problem → Question → Data → Solution → Present → Reflect
- Average = sum of values ÷ number of values
- Model (this lesson): wait ≈ old wait ÷ number of counters
- Good problem: real, small enough, measurable
Worked examples
1. Waiting times on five days are 10, 12, 11, 14 and 13 minutes. Find the average.
Sum = 10 + 12 + 11 + 14 + 13 = 60. Average = 60 ÷ 5 = 12 minutes.
2. Which is a better inquiry question: "Is the library good?" or "How many students borrow a book each week?"
The second one. It can be counted, so you can collect data and answer it. The first is only an opinion.
3. Using the model wait = 12 ÷ counters, what is the wait with 4 counters?
12 ÷ 4 = 3 minutes. This is a simple model, so say that the real wait may differ.
4. You asked 20 students about the canteen and only Class 6 answered. What is wrong and how do you fix it?
The sample is only one class, so it may not show all students. Ask students from every class, or say clearly that the result is for Class 6 only.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a problem that is too big, such as "end pollution", instead of a small one you can measure.
- Starting to build a tool before collecting any data.
- Showing a chart without a title, labels or units.
- Taking data on only one day, or from only friends, and calling it the whole truth.