For Robert Sedgwick, a middle school science teacher at Spring Canyon Middle School in Springville, Utah, Research Quest has proven to be a powerful way to transform science learning. By putting students into the role of scientists, the program makes abstract concepts come alive through real-world investigations.
“Research Quest is a powerful program that helps students learn science concepts by doing science. Rather than just reading about scientific ideas or memorizing facts, students are invited to think and act like scientists—asking questions, gathering evidence, and forming conclusions.”
Learning Through Real-World Problems
Robert appreciates how each Research Quest investigation is rooted in authentic, real-world challenges. Students aren’t simply completing worksheets—they are actively solving problems guided by museum scientists and researchers.
In one investigation, What’s Killing These Trees?, his students examined environmental data and ecological evidence to uncover why certain trees in a forest were dying. This hands-on experience helped them connect classroom learning to real ecological issues in a way that felt meaningful and relevant.
“The program’s investigations are rooted in real-world problems, and each one is guided by museum scientists and researchers who model critical thinking and inquiry-based approaches.”
What Sets Research Quest Apart
One of the aspects Robert finds most valuable is Research Quest’s foundation in authentic science. “What sets Research Quest apart is that it’s developed by a natural history museum, offering students access to authentic specimens, data, and case studies drawn directly from the museum’s collections.”
This approach gives students an experience that feels real, not like a simulation. They explore fossils, ecological data, and archaeological evidence, gaining exposure to the same kinds of evidence that scientists analyze in the field.
Building Skills that Last
For Robert, Research Quest is more than just a classroom resource—it’s a tool for building lasting skills. “This connection to real science—not textbook simulations—makes the experience more engaging and meaningful. Students aren’t just completing activities; they’re solving mysteries grounded in actual research.”
By encouraging critical thinking, collaboration, and communication, Research Quest supports deeper learning. “As a teacher, I appreciate how seamlessly Research Quest aligns with NGSS and supports deeper learning. It sparks curiosity and encourages students to think critically, collaborate, and communicate their ideas.”
Rigorous and Exciting Science Education
Robert’s experience highlights how Research Quest combines rigor with excitement in the classroom. It offers students the chance to experience science in the same way professionals do—through inquiry, evidence, and discovery. As Robert sums it up, “It’s an excellent resource for any middle school science classroom looking to build scientific thinking in a way that’s both rigorous and exciting.”
Research Quest is a program of the Natural History Museum of Utah in partnership with The Utah Education Network
