Great problem solving strategies and activities.

1. Using Inquiry to Solve
Problems
By
Dean Berry, Ed. D.
Teachers’ Choice Library

2. Asking Investigative Questions
When professional investigators are seeking
information in order to solve a problem, they learn
to ask questions that will provide critical
information for solving the problem. Formulating
good questions is a very sophisticated skill that
needs to be practiced and refined.
Read each of the following situations and ask
questions that will enable you to gather important
information that may lead to solving the problem.

3. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

4. The Situation: A Partial Head-on Collision
• At 6:30 AM in the morning two automobiles heading in opposite
directions on a two lane highway had a partial head-on collision
that propelled both cars over the side of a 12 foot embankment.
The driver of one car died at the scene and the driver and
passenger of the other car both died at the hospital.
• Problem: Why did the accident happen? Who was
at fault?

5. What questions should a good accident scene
investigator ask in this situation?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

6. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
• 1. Did either driver have a substance in their blood that indicated
they were under the influence?
• 2. Were there any skid marks that indicated the speed of the
vehicles?
• 3. Were both vehicles inspected for possible malfunction of
steering, acceleration or braking systems?
• 4. Were there any eye witnesses in the area that may have seen the
cars before and during the collision?
• 5. Was there any sign of alcohol or drug use in the automobile?
• 6. Was weather a possible factor in the accident?
• 7. Could the sun have blinded one of the drivers?

7. The Situation: Murder in a Field
•On Wednesday afternoon a young lady’s body
was found in a field six blocks from her school
and only two blocks from her home.
Problem: Who killed this young woman and
why?

8. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

9. What questions should a good crime
scene investigator ask in this situation?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

10. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Where was she coming from?
2. Was she a student?
3. Do her friends have any ideas about who might want to hurt her?
4. Were there any suspicious tire tracks in the area?
5. Did unknown DNA show up on her clothing or body?
6. What seems to be the cause of death?
7. Was she sexually assaulted?
8. Does her cell phone have any unusual contacts on it?
9. If she was sexually assaulted, are there any sexually known predators living
in the area?
Continued on next page.

11. More Questions to Consider
• 10. Were there any items in the immediate area that may
have been used as murder weapons?
• 11. Has time of death been established?
• 12. Did residents or people passing by see anything
suspicious?
• 13. Did any unknown finger prints show up on any of her
possessions found near the body?

12. The Situation: A Young Man
Struggling to Breathe
A serious medical emergency has occurred in a residential
area and EMT personnel have arrived on the scene. A twenty
year old male is having extreme difficulty breathing. He is on
the ground of the front yard of his home with a friend standing
near by.
Problem: The medical staff must quickly try to determine what
the medical problem is and how to treat it. If they do not figure
out how to improve the situation, they may need to call
doctors who will need the answers to many questions. What
questions might you ask yourself if you are an EMT or doctor
on the scene?

13. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

14. What questions should a good EMT or physician
ask in this situation to guide their investigation so
they can help the patient?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

15. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Is there any obstruction in his throat?
2. Is there any evidence of a bug bite that could cause an allergic reaction?
3. Are there other symptoms that might indicate a stroke or heart attack?
4. Can the patient speak?
5. Has the young man experienced any physical trauma to his body?
6. Should the patient be given oxygen?
7. What is the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure?
8. Has the young man been eating or smoking something that might trigger
breathing problems?
9. Should epinephrine be administered to help him breathe?

16. The Situation: A Failing Report Card
• A ninth grade student arrives home and has to face her mom’s
questions about a very poor report card. This is the first quarter
report for her first year in high school. Her mother drags her
down to the high school counselor to get help finding the causes
of such a horrendous report card.
• Problem: Why is her report card so poor? What
questions should her mother ask? What questions
should the counselor ask?

17. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

18. What questions should a good counselor or
parent ask in this situation to guide their
investigation so they can help the student?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

19. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Is she doing her homework?
2. Is she attending all of her classes on a regular basis?
3. Does she seem interested when in class?
4. Does she have difficulty paying attention or is she easily distracted?
5. Does she have any problems with reading or writing skills?
6. Does she get enough sleep on school nights?
7. Does she hang out with friends who don’t seem to care about school?
8. Is she spending a lot of time during the school week with a boyfriend?
9. Does she have poor test scores?

20. More Questions
• 10. Does she actively participate in class activities?
• 11. Are there any symptoms of depression?
• 12. Are there any signs of drug use?
• 13. Does she com-lain about any physical or emotional difficulties?
• 14. Does anyone help her with her homework?
• 15. Is she willing to come for tutoring after school?
• 16. Does she organize her notebook and keep assignments and due
dates where she can find them?
• 17. Does her parent ask to check her homework?

21. The Situation: A Withdrawn, Unhappy Child
• A twelve year old boy comes home from school and goes into his
room and closes the door. He does not want to talk very much. For
the next three days, he attends school and is much quieter than
normal. On the fifth day, he doesn’t seem hungry for dinner. For the
next few days, he eats half as much as usual and spends a lot of time
in his room by himself.
Problem: Juan, the twelve year old boy, is losing weight and
becoming withdrawn. What questions should his parent and
professionals ask to help unravel the cause of Juan’s problem?

22. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

23. What questions should a good counselor or parent ask
in this situation to guide their investigation so they can
help this twelve year old boy?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

24. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Has the boy had these kind of symptoms before?
2. Have you asked the boy’s teacher if he/she has any concerns?
3. Do his friends have any ideas about what might wrong?
4. Does he have any physical symptoms that might suggest illness?
5. Does he have a sibling or parent that might be able to talk to him?
6. Does his behavior include crying?
7. Will he share his issue with a neutral party if not a family
member?
8. Is he doing well in school?
9. Are there signs that he may be bullied at school or online?

25. The Situation: Store Becomes Unprofitable
• A large department store that use to be very profitable has been
losing sales and profit for the last three years. The district
manager and store manager are meeting to figure out why sales
and profit have been dwindling and what they should do about it.
• Problem: Sales and profit are plummeting.
What questions should the managers seek
answers to in order to get the best
information needed to solve this problem?

26. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

27. What questions should a good store manager ask
in this situation to guide an investigation of how
to increase sales and profits?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

28. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Are your employees well trained in customer service skills?
2. Do the store employees like working for the store and store
managers?
3. Is there too much staff turnover?
4. Are the store prices appropriate for the socio-economic area
being served?
5. Is the store kept clean and attractive?
6. Have other stores that sell similar merchandise opened in the
area?
7. Does this store have a website to compete with on-line sales
companies?

29. More Questions to Ask
• 8. Has the store changed their merchandise inventory and shelf
space to represent what their shoppers prefer to purchase?
• 9. Has the store evaluated their advertising strategy and
implemented more effective methods?
• 10. Does this store use special sales with slashed prices to get
shoppers into the store?
• 11. Does the store use a reward system to get loyal shoppers to
visit the store more frequently?

30. The situation: Major Increase in Air Pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency reports that a valley in Pennsylvania
has been registering higher and higher air pollution measurements for the
last five years. The local EPA Board holds a meeting to investigate how to
reverse the recent trend of higher pollution in the valley. What questions
should they ask in order to gather the information they need to help solve
this problem?
Problem: Air pollution in a Pennsylvania valley has been increasing
significantly for the last five years. What questions need to be asked in order
to solve this problem?

31. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

32. What questions should an effective EPA Board ask
in this situation to guide an investigation of how
to decrease air pollution?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

33. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Has the population increased significantly during the last five years?
2. Have the highways that run through the valley become more laden
with traffic?
3. How many new industries have opened in the valley during the last
five years?
4. Are businesses who send pollution into the air being inspected
often enough?
5. What kind of pollutants have been increased during the last five
years?
6. Are industrial plants and power plants using the best technology to
reduce

34. The Situation: Ensuring Business Success
Alberto and his wife Maria want to open a Mexican
Restaurant in their home city. They want to make sure
that they will be successful.
Problem: How can Maria and Alberto plan their business
to increase the odds of success rather than failure?
What questions do they need the answers to before they
spend too much money and time opening their new
business?

35. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

36. What questions should a smart business owner
ask before opening a new Mexican restaurant in
their city?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

37. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Are there enough Mexican restaurants for the size of the city where
they live?
2. Have other Mexican restaurants been successful in this city?
3. What kind of menu and prices will appeal to the socio-economic
make-up of this city?
4. What size and location for the restaurant will be affordable and
capable of being sustained by projected sales and profit?
5. Where can the restaurant buy menu ingredients and get the best
quality at the cheapest prices?
6. How will the owners hire and train a good staff to operate the
restaurant efficiently?

38. More Questions to Ask
• 7. What kind of advertising should be done in order to bring in
customers?
• 8. Is there a clear marketing strategy that goes beyond simple media
ads?
• 9. Is there a business plan that projects probable future gross receipts
less operating costs?
• 10. How much profit do the owners need to make in order to meet their
financial goals?
• 11. How much money will be needed to purchase equipment, furniture,
and signage before the restaurant can open?
• 12. What permits and licenses will be needed to open the restaurant?

39. The Situation: Choosing a College Major
Malcolm is trying to decide what his major should be when he attends
college. What questions should he ask in order to make an informed
decision?
Problem: How to choose a major in college? What
kind of questions should you ask yourself if you
want to select a good college major for yourself?

40. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

41. What questions should a student ask
before selecting a college major?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

42. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Do I want a career where I work closely with others or mostly by
myself?
2. How much income do I need to achieve my personal goals?
3. How much training or college education will this major require?
4. Do I have the academic skills that will enable me to successfully
complete this major?
5. Do I have the financial ability through grants and loans to pay for
the education required by this major?
6. Will the daily tasks required by this career be enjoyable and
challenging for me?

43. More Questions to Ask
• 7. Will the work hours involved in this career
work well with my personal goals?
• 8. Am I more interested in helping others or
am I more interested in making a lot of
money?
• 9. Why am I interested in this major/career?
• 10. Is there anything about this career that I
would not like?

44. The Situation: Millions of Trees are Dying
• Experts in Southern California are trying to stop a massive dye off of
trees that is decimating many areas. What questions need to be asked
by investigators who are trying to solve this environment problem?
• Problem: Millions of trees are dying throughout Southern California
and creating many serious problems.

45. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

46. What questions should experts ask
in order to get the right information
to find a solution to the tree die-off?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

47. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Which species of trees are dying?
2. Are there any visible pests on the dying trees?
3. How long does it take the trees to die?
4. Is there any kind of pesticide that can slow down or halt the die-off?
5. Does the culprit seem to be an insect or a fungus?
6. Can scientists introduce sterile insects to stop the spread of
damaging insects?
7. Has the drought contributed to the huge tree dye-off?

48. The Situation: Choosing a New Factory Site
A group that wants to manufacture audio speakers needs to
choose a good location that will save real estate,
production, distribution, and marketing costs. What
questions should they ask? Remember that the factory will
need workers, ways to distribute the speakers, and access
to parts and raw materials.
Problem: How can the selection of a manufacturing site
save or reduce costs?

49. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

50. What questions should experts ask in
order to get the right information that
will enable them to choose a great
location for maximizing profit?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

51. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. Is the location in an area that is far enough away from expensive
retail and housing sections to be affordable for manufacturing?
2. Are there freeways or rail lines close to the possible factory site?
3. Is this possible site close enough to a source of skilled workers who
can help the factory grow and be successful?
4. Is this site close enough to energy sources such as electricity or
natural gas to operate a growing factory?
5. Is this site capable of passing environmental rules for pollution,
traffic congestion, and habitat protection?

52. The Situation: A Prosecutor in the Courtroom
• A twenty three year old male is charged will the murder of four
young men, one who is an acquaintance on face book. The four
men were friends who disappeared near the suspects five acre
property. The first body was discovered several days later near the
suspects property. What do investigators need to know? What
questions do they need to ask in order to solve this murder? What
should a prosecutor ask the suspect and others about the crime?
Problem: Who killed four young men, all friends who were
ages 19-22, on the same day in a Pennsylvania county? How
do we solve this murder?

53. The class will be divided into groups of 3 or 4 students each.
Some groups will create an answer to the problem by agreeing
on specific details of the event. They will provide answers to
the questions asked after the problem is stated. The other
groups will remain unaware of the invented scenarios the first
groups are creating. Instead, these groups will attempt to list
good questions that an investigator would ask to uncover the
solution to the problem or event.
Meet in Groups

54. What questions should crime
investigators and prosecutors ask in
order to get the facts about this
murder?
Meet in small groups and identify as many
investigative questions as possible.
Write your questions down and share them
with the class.

55. Did You Ask Questions Like This?
1. What kind of relationship did the suspect have with the four young
men?
2. What was the cause of death?
3. Was there a weapon found that implicates a suspect?
4. Is there any evidence that suggests more than one killer?
5. Was any DNA found on bodies or weapons that implicates a suspect?
6. Does cell phone data or social media contain information that ties
suspects to the crime?
7. Can friends or relatives of the victims or suspects shed any light on
the murders?

56. More Questions to Ask
• 8. Does the key suspect have a suspicious background that suggests reasons
for such a crime?
• 9. What might be the motive for these murders?
• 10. Do any suspects have an alibi for their whereabouts when the murders
were committed?
• 11. Were there any witnesses in the area of the murders that may have seen
suspicious behavior?
• 12. Have the vehicles of victims and suspects been evaluated for evidence of
a crime?