Asking Good Questions
📖 Learn
Scientists learn about the world by asking good questions! When you ask questions, you are thinking like a scientist. Let's learn how to ask questions that help us discover new things!
What is a Good Question?
A good question is one that helps you learn something new. Good questions often start with words like:
- What - What is this? What happens if...?
- Why - Why does this happen?
- How - How does this work?
- When - When does this happen?
- Where - Where can I find...?
Key Words to Know
- Question: Something you ask to learn more
- Curious: Wanting to know or learn about something
- Observe: To look carefully at something
- Wonder: To think about something and want to know more
- Scientist: A person who asks questions and finds answers about the world
Why Questions Are Important
Asking questions helps us:
- Learn new things
- Understand how the world works
- Solve problems
- Think like a scientist!
💡 Examples
Let's look at examples of good questions scientists might ask.
Example 1: Questions About Plants
You see a plant growing toward the window.
Good questions to ask:
- Why does the plant grow toward the window?
- What would happen if I moved the plant to a dark closet?
- How does the plant get its food?
Example 2: Questions About Animals
You see a bird building a nest.
Good questions to ask:
- What materials does the bird use for its nest?
- Why does the bird build a nest?
- How long does it take to build a nest?
Example 3: Questions About Weather
You notice it is raining outside.
Good questions to ask:
- Where does rain come from?
- Why do clouds make rain?
- What happens to the rain after it falls?
Example 4: Questions About Things at Home
You see ice cubes melting in a glass.
Good questions to ask:
- Why do ice cubes melt?
- What would happen if I put ice in the sun vs. the shade?
- How long does it take for ice to melt?
Example 5: Turning "I Wonder" Into Questions
If you think: I wonder why the sky is blue.
Turn it into a question: Why is the sky blue?
If you think: I wonder how birds fly.
Turn it into a question: How do birds fly?
✏️ Practice
Practice asking good questions!
Problem 1
What word do questions often start with?
Show Answer
Questions often start with: What, Why, How, When, or Where.
Problem 2
You see a butterfly on a flower. Write a question you could ask.
Show Answer
Answers may include: Why is the butterfly on the flower? What is the butterfly doing? How do butterflies fly?
Problem 3
What does it mean to be "curious"?
Show Answer
Being curious means wanting to know or learn about something.
Problem 4
You see the moon in the night sky. Write a question about it.
Show Answer
Answers may include: Why does the moon change shape? How far away is the moon? Why can we see the moon at night?
Problem 5
What does a scientist do?
Show Answer
A scientist asks questions and finds answers about the world.
Problem 6
Turn this into a question: I wonder why dogs bark.
Show Answer
Why do dogs bark?
Problem 7
You found a rock with sparkles in it. Write a question.
Show Answer
Answers may include: What makes the rock sparkle? What kind of rock is this? Where did this rock come from?
Problem 8
What does "observe" mean?
Show Answer
Observe means to look carefully at something.
Problem 9
Why is asking questions important?
Show Answer
Asking questions helps us learn new things, understand the world, and solve problems.
Problem 10
Your plant is turning brown. What question could you ask?
Show Answer
Answers may include: Why is my plant turning brown? Does my plant need more water? Is my plant getting enough sunlight?
✅ Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to see what you learned.
Question 1
Think of something you are curious about. What is a question you could ask?
Show Answer
Answers will vary. Think about something you wonder about and turn it into a question starting with what, why, how, when, or where!
Question 2
How does asking questions help you learn?
Show Answer
Asking questions helps you think about what you want to know and guides you to find answers and learn new things.
Question 3
What is the first step in being a scientist?
Show Answer
The first step is to be curious and ask questions about the world around you!
Question 4
After you ask a question, what can you do to find the answer?
Show Answer
You can observe, do an experiment, ask someone who knows, or look it up in a book!
🚀 Next Steps
- Keep a "question journal" - write down questions you think of every day
- Look around your house or outside and find something that makes you curious
- Ask a grown-up your questions and see if you can find answers together
- Continue to the next lesson: Testing Our Ideas