Inquiry and Project based Learning

Inquiry based learning is getting involved in learning that leads to understanding. Inquiry implies a "need or want to know," premise. This leads students to self-knowledge, it turns students into problem solvers. Inquiry begins with gathering information and data through applying human senses. The students take responsibility for their learning and they actively engage in the learning process.
Project based learning is where students learn about real world problems in which they are engaged in learning. Students work in small groups with a broad topic where they work and learn about the topic by researching. The students are more likely to gain and retain knowledge. The students work with collaboration with peers. The students learn organizational and presentation skills.

I made a unit plan for "Making a Difference."
My essential and unit questions were:
Essential: How do I make a difference?
Unit: Where did I come from and where am I going?
Unit: In what ways has life changed since my grandparents time or before?
Unit: How do we protect the past, capture the present, and impact the future?

Inquiry and Project based learning are used in this plan. They are needed to bring in the aspects of group work on the last unit question of how we proctect the past, capture the present, and impact the future. The students gain self-knowledge while learning about their culture and heritage. The students also learn about world problems and maybe how to solve them in making their difference.