SECOND GRADERS WIN NATIONAL INQUIRY WORK CONTEST
How Inquiry-Based Learning Is Shaping the Next Generation of Thinkers
It was announced this week that outstanding work by Mount Pisgah Christian School’s second graders has been recognized for its innovative approach to learning, earning first place in the nation-wide Inquiry Work Contest hosted by inquirED, a leader in inquiry-based curriculum design.
The winning project, titled Our Changing Landscape, invited students to explore how their community has evolved over time and imagine how they could make a real difference right where they live.
A Deeper Way to Learn
Lower School teachers used concept-based teaching as the foundation for their focus on inquiry. Throughout the unit, students built a large learning wall that grew as their knowledge did. They read books about how landscapes in their community have changed over time and used anchor charts to record what they noticed about those modifications. In language arts, students explored atlases to identify common and proper nouns across Georgia, the United States, and the world, helping them connect geography and grammar in a meaningful way.
As the unit came to a close, students identified one area on campus they believed could be improved. Working together, they created posters and wrote letters to their principal explaining their ideas. What began as a study of landscapes became a lesson in communication, collaboration, and taking action in their own community.
Why Inquiry Learning Matters at Mount Pisgah
This recognition highlights Mount Pisgah’s ongoing work to help students think deeply and take ownership of their learning. Inquiry-based instruction encourages students not only to ask questions, but also to explore, collaborate, and make meaningful connections between what they learn and how they live.
“Our second graders’ success is an exciting reflection of the direction we are heading as a school,” said Dr. Becky Knight, Lower School Principal. “We are intentionally evolving how we teach and how our students think. Inquiry learning helps children become curious, reflective learners who see that their ideas and actions can make a difference in the world around them.”
Faith, Curiosity, and Purpose in Every Lesson
At Mount Pisgah, learning begins with curiosity and is guided by faith. Each inquiry lesson invites students to see God’s hand in the world and to think critically about their role in it. By connecting discovery with purpose, students learn that knowledge is more than information but a way to serve others and grow in understanding.
Celebrating Innovation and Leadership
“I am so proud of our second grade students and teachers!” said Nicole Barrett, Lower School Assistant Principal. “It’s amazing to see how our students embraced this project. They showed creativity, teamwork, and leadership well beyond their years.” This national recognition reinforces Mount Pisgah’s commitment to a Christ-centered education that encourages curiosity, fosters critical thinking, and inspires confidence in every learner.
With this award, Mount Pisgah Christian School joins a select group of schools recognized for transforming learning through curiosity, collaboration, and purpose-driven exploration.