KiP³ was designed to promote a deeper understanding of how knowledge is gained in the natural sciences and to study the structure of this learning process. For this purpose, KiP has developed the “Bio-KiPs”. In this framework, young students conducted research with scientists and experience the authentic research process in the fields of marine biology or pollen studies (“CSI”). For example, they studied snails that a marine biologist has collected from the Mid-Pacific Ridge at a depth of about 3000 m. In a first step, the research questions that are to be addressed, for example the distributions of the various snail species, are agreed upon with the biologist. The results are published in the form of a scientific poster and on the researcher’s homepage. Teachers supported these activities in the accompanying school curriculum. They reflected upon the developmental process (action research).

KiP³didactics team studied this learning environment in cooperation with the young students. A deeper understanding of how knowledge is gained in the natural sciences was considered to be an important prerequisite for participating in today’s decision-making society, which is founded on scientific information. The initial results showed that the learning environment created by KiP supports a deeper understanding of science. Detailed analyses of the learning processes showed which characteristics of the KiP learning environment best promote student learning and motivation.

KiP³ strived to develop permanent partnerships for authentic inquiry learning. The high school BRG 19 and the Department of Marine Biology – two long-term KiP partners – along with the high school Akademisches Gymnasium and the Department of Palynology developed a model for an ongoing cooperation. The profile of candidate schools can support this process. Moreover, KiP³ was starting – along with stakeholders from the university, Pädagogischen Hochschulen and the IMST regional networks – to implement the theory- and research-based Bio-KiP model at new sites.

This project has been completed.