Traditionally the content in physical science courses includes a combination of physics and chemistry topics. As part of the Arizona Collaborative reforms, we combined concepts based on the national science standards from the areas of astronomy and physics to design inquiry observations/experiments in conjunction with a course called Fundamentals of Physical Science taught at ASU and in ten Maricopa Community Colleges. By replacing traditional homework problems with "home labs," we doubled the amount of hands-on experimental work in the introductory physical science course taken by preservice students. Twelve inquiry experiments addressing fundamental concepts in both astronomy (seasons, lunar phases, orbits) and physics (mechanics, electricity, magnetism, light and optics) were classroom tested for three years in the general studies introductory physical science course, as well as in workshops for inservice elementary teachers. Several of the experiments will be presented together with sample Science Kits.

The science kit materials selected for low cost were evaluated together with the inquiry-oriented experiments/observations for effective learning. The manual, Scientific Inquiry and a vendor list are available by request and at the ACEPT website.