Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy TaylorAlger, Kellen Thomas2016-01-032016-01-032015https://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/9237The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact the use of an inquiry based approach to science instruction has on students' engagement and understanding of content in a middle school physical science course. The 5E Learning Cycle was the inquiry model that was used. Students' level of engagement was monitored using journaling and classroom observations. To track changes of students' understanding of content material a pre and post-test was administered over the course of two units. The results of the study found that the 5E Learning Cycle had a positive impact on both engagement and understanding of content.enScience--Study and teachingActive learningMiddle school studentsProfessional PaperCopyright 2015 by Kellen Thomas Alger