What is Inquiry?
The Inquiry Learning programme at Tauranga Boys' College is available to all Year 9 and 10 students by application. Currently, there are two Year 9 classes and two Year 10 classes. Inquiry Learning classes have two teachers, instead of four, to cover the core curriculum; one teacher for English and Social Studies, and another teacher for Maths and Science. The class has a student-centered, project-based approach for students to develop skills in critical thinking, collaboration, self-management, communication, creativity, and problem-solving whilst also learning and applying the content knowledge of the core curriculum. The goal of Inquiry is to produce global-minded, independent-thinking students who own their learning.
Who is Inquiry for?
Anyone can apply for the Inquiry Learning but the programme does suit a certain type of student. Inquiry best suits students who are inquisitive by nature and interested in finding out how the world works. It suits autonomous students who are self-starters and can manage themselves, although these are skills that can be learned during the programme. It is also really accommodating for students who are socially offbeat, neurodivergent, reserved, eccentric, or just a little bit quirky or different. It's a space for students whose experience of traditional education has not quite worked for them and who want a more challenging or empowering experience.
What will they do in Inquiry?
own their learning by completing a range of 3-week inquiries on various designated and self-chosen topics
write and present their inquiries to their peers and publish them online
engage in real-world issues and aspire to be change-makers
listen to and have access to experts who come for class talks and discussion
develop and design innovations for the Young Innovators Awards and compete in challenges like the BP Business Challenge and Epro8 Competition
take their learning outside the classroom with sailing trips, workplace visits, treking Aongatete Forest, and visiting Rocketlab in Hamilton.
What do Inquiries look like?
Natural Hazard Inquiry - Hurricane.mp4Inquiry Learning at Tauranga Boys' College - Pedagogical Models.mp4
What do the students think?
"We do not expect our teacher to tell us what to think or learn. We are in control, the only thing that is expected of us is that we THINK and ENJOY LEARNING!
The aim is for us to solve problems or answer deep questions that interest us. Our solutions will be innovative and supported with evidence that WE have discovered. We will not encounter any problems on this journey, only challenges to be overcome."
What are the benefits of Inquiry?
Owning their learning
Thinking Critically and becoming a true innovator
"Critical inquiry is an umbrella term that signals the importance of students being active participators in knowledge-building. When students take an active part in authentic inquiry practices they build their awareness of how new knowledge claims are made and justified in different learning areas. They are acting like ‘junior’ scientists, mathematicians, social scientists, literary critics, and so on."
Hipkins, Rose. “Weaving a coherent curriculum: How the idea of 'capabilities' can help.” New Zealand Council for Educational Research, Accessed 10 April 2023.