As an Associate STEM Educator at Roberta Elementary School in Barcelona, I've seen how inquiry-based learning can transform the educational experience and outcomes for my students. One of our major initiatives was implementing a project-based learning module in our science curriculum. The ascent of the 'Mars Rover' project served as an excellent example.
In this project, students were tasked with creating a hypothetical Mars rover. They had to consider multiple factors such as survival in harsh Martian conditions, effective communication with Earth, and exploration capabilities. Students had to form their 'exploration specifications', research potential solutions, and eventually design their rover models using 3D software.
The process saw incredible levels of engagement and creativity from students, and the comprehensiveness of their final presentations was proof of their understanding of scientific principles and problem-solving skills. This hands-on experience, powered by inquiry-based learning, has since become a cornerstone in our STEM education approach.