The Wonder Years: Learning Through Inquiry and Discovery

A few months ago, as part of their spring Expo Night thematic unit, our Serendipity 1st graders were exploring the oceans—an in-depth, interdisciplinary study that integrated reading, writing, science, art, and inquiry. Throughout the year, students engage in thematic learning experiences like this, where a central topic becomes a lens through which all areas of the curriculum are connected, making learning meaningful, memorable, and deeply engaging.

While reading nonfiction texts about the mysterious twilight zone of the ocean, students encountered the giant squid—a creature so elusive it has inspired both legends and scientific investigation. They learned that, like other squids, it releases a jet of ink to escape predators such as the sperm whale. The class was captivated, eyes widened, imaginations activated. But then one student paused and asked:

"Yeah, but how does it make the ink?"

The teacher’s eyes sparkled as they smiled and responded, “That is an excellent wondering. You will be on the research team that will try to find out how the giant squid makes the ink that it uses for defense.” In that moment, the child wasn’t just gathering facts—they were stepping into discovery. They moved from absorbing information to constructing understanding. And that is the heart of education at Serendipity.

Learning vs. Thinking: A Key Distinction

Educational psychology defines learning not as memorizing information, but as a lasting change in understanding that comes from experience, reflection, and meaningful engagement. Thinking is what happens in the moment; learning happens when thinking changes what we know or how we view the world.

That child’s question—How does it make the ink?—is not a departure from learning. It is the very beginning of it. Wonder ignites the learning process by activating curiosity, attention, and the desire to seek understanding.

The Power of Inquiry

Two foundational educational theorists, Jean Piaget and John Dewey, believed that children learn best through active engagement with meaningful questions.

Piaget described children as “little scientists” who build knowledge through direct interaction with their environment, experimentation, and reflection. He said, “The principal goal of education is to create individuals who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done.” 

Similarly, Dewey believed that education must be rooted in experience. In Democracy and Education, he wrote, “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.” According to Dewey, curiosity is not a departure from the curriculum—it is the curriculum. Real learning arises when students investigate questions that matter to them and engage in the process of discovery. This is why at Serendipity, learning doesn’t begin with an answer—it begins with a question.

Classrooms Alive with Discovery

Serendipity classrooms are dynamic spaces where learning is active and interdisciplinary. During thematic units like the 1st grade ocean exploration, students don’t just read about sea creatures—they conduct research, build models, write informational books, give ocean-themed performances, and create artistic representations of marine life. They engage their minds, hands, and hearts in the learning process.

Our teachers act as guides and co-researchers. They don’t say, “Here is the answer,” but instead, “Let’s find out together.” This empowers students to see themselves as thinkers, researchers, and problem-solvers.

Every time a student says, "I wonder...", they are not stepping away from the lesson—they are stepping deeper into it.

Why Wonder Matters

Wonder is not just emotionally engaging—it is neurologically powerful. Research shows that curiosity activates the brain’s reward systems, increases memory retention, and boosts creativity and resilience. When a child is fascinated, their brain becomes primed for deep learning.

In a world that often prioritizes speed, convenience, and quick answers, Serendipity creates space for awe, discovery, and intellectual adventure. We believe that learning should be joyful, purposeful, and transformative.

The Future Belongs to the Curious

When children learn through inquiry and discovery, they don’t just gain knowledge—they develop the mindset and skills to navigate a complex world. They learn to ask bold questions, seek evidence, think critically, and revise their understanding.

At Serendipity, we are not preparing children simply to remember facts. We are preparing them to use knowledge—to innovate, collaborate, and lead with curiosity and compassion.

Because the future will not be shaped by those who know all the answers. It will be shaped by those who know how to ask the questions no one has thought to ask yet. And it all begins with wonder.