An inquiry-based learning school
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Above: some of our students delivering their end-of-term inquiry presentations.
Please note that we refer to an inquiry period as a academic unit, like a semester. 2023-24 In the historical time frame of 500 BCE to 1400 CE, our curriculum is framed around these topics:
Here's a partial list of inquiry topics GATE students have taken on: K–1st Grade Inquiry 1: Characteristics of Organisms -- Insects - Structure and Function Inquiry 2: Humans and Technology -- Paleontology Inquiry 3: Earth Science -- Properties of Earth's Materials - Formation of landforms Inquiry 4: Humankind's Rules -- Cartography - How maps are made and how people use maps Inquiry 5: Humanities Arts & Culture -- The Art of Story Telling Inquiry 6: Properties of Objects and Materials -- States of Matter 1st–2nd Grades Inquiry 1: Characteristics of Organisms -- Creatures of the Ocean Deep, evolutionary adaptations, ecosystem functioning and taxonomy. Inquiry 2: Ancient Technology -- Paper making, rope suspension bridge construction and steel smelting. Inquiry 3: Space Science -- Life Cycle of a Star Inquiry 4: Humankind's Rules -- Olmec and Maya Civilizations Inquiry 5: Humanities Arts & Culture -- Ceramics in the Ancient World Inquiry 6: Physical Sciences -- Light and Heat 3rd-4th Grades Inquiry 1: Evolution and Biodiversity -- Adaptations in physical structure or behavior may improve an organism’s chance for survival Inquiry 2: History of Science and Science as Human Endeavor -- Golden ages of India and Islam Inquiry 3: Space Science -- Exoplanetology Inquiry 4: Humankind's Rules -- Ancient Governments Inquiry 5: Humanities Arts & Culture -- Ancient Instruments Inquiry 6: Physical Sciences -- Electricity and Circuits 4th–5th Grades Inquiry 1: Diversity and Adaptations of Organisms -- Prehistoric Megafauna Inquiry 2: Personal Health -- Systems of the Human Body Inquiry 3: Earth and Space Science -- The Sun Inquiry 4: Humankind's Rules -- Religions of the World Inquiry 5: Humanities Arts & Culture -- US Government Inquiry 6: Physical Sciences -- The Physics of Sound Upper School: Inquiry is increasingly individualized as the kids reach Upper School, and project scope and reach broadens depending on individual interests. Here is a partial list of topics studied in past years: Sixth-Seventh Grades: Inquiry 4: US in World War II— individual research in original historical source materials, including current survivor interviews, then making "newsreel" type movies on topics such as D-Day, the invasion of Pearl Harbor, German concentration camps, Japanese internment camps, General Douglas McArthur, the annexation of Poland, the siege of Leningrad, and more. Seventh-Eighth Grades: Inquiry 3: Early Studies of Atoms—general content about subatomic particles, production methods and theory, including building models of atoms and particles, with rap battles between students on topics such as Newtonian Physics v. Quantum Mechanics, young Einstein v. older Einstein, Gravitational Forces v. Strong Force and more. |
GATE Academy's hallmark is inquiry-based learning. In a nutshell, inquiry-based learning requires learning to ask questions and seek understanding. Inquiry-based learning means that each student plays a substantial role in determining the content he or she studies within a particular broad inquiry topic. For example, in a Life Sciences unit on Life Cycles of Organisms, after a student learns the basic concept of a life cycle, he/she gets to do deeper work on a particular organism's life cycle, and is able to compare and contrast with other students' research on related and different organisms. As students become more skilled with inquiry, they may chose the manner in which they investigate their questions and the way that they present their work to others.
At GATE, Inquiry is a core class. Inquiry is keyed to a five-year time cycle (covering prehistory to the present day) and each year of that five-year cycle is divided into six academic periods called units of inquiry. Of those six periods, three are devoted to science, and three to social science/humanities. This cycle ensures that our students get exposure to a very broad range of science and humanities content within an historical framework. Inquiry is a process using a set of skills that require students to:
GATE's curriculum covers content beyond the reach of most K-8 schools. The process of Inquiry is our primary tool for exploration. Inquiry is similar to project based learning, in that projects are involved. It is different from project based learning, in that each student pursues a different project. Using the life cycles example above, if the class as a whole is focusing on life cycles of butterflies and moths, one student might study monarch butterfly life cycles, while another might study five spotted moth hawks, and a third might explore mission blue butterflies. Our faculty teaches core content concepts and essential skills needed for effective investigation of an inquiry question, and mentors students in their exploration, analysis, synthesis, and communication skills. As you can imagine, this requires extensive practice of reading, writing, and oral expression skills. Inquiry is a learning process applicable to all disciplines. It underpins all creative efforts, be they scientific or humanities-based. Through practicing inquiry, GATE Academy students learn how to learn: To wonder, question, analyze, critique, synthesize, communicate, and present to others on ....just about anything. 
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