IJECE Published Articles

Abstract This study examined knowledge, attitude, and motivation as predictors of scientific inquiry skills among Grade 7 students in selected public and private secondary schools in Surigao City during Academic Year 2025-2026. Using a quantitative predictive-correlational design, data were gathered from 500 Grade 7 students and five science teachers through a researcher-developed 30-item science knowledge test, a teacher-rated scientific inquiry skills observation tool, the Scientific Attitude Scale, and the Science Motivation Questionnaire. Results showed that most students had good to excellent science knowledge, with 203 learners (40.60%) classified as good and 197 learners (39.40%) classified as excellent. Students also showed positive attitudes toward science (M = 3.02, SD = 0.86), positive motivation in science learning (M = 3.08, SD = 0.80), and demonstrated scientific inquiry skills (M = 2.97, SD = 0.43). Spearman's rho indicated a very high positive and significant relationship between knowledge and scientific inquiry skills (rho = 0.91, p < .001), a negligible and non-significant relationship between attitude and inquiry skills (rho = 0.03, p = .514), and a negligible but significant positive relationship between motivation and inquiry skills (rho = 0.19, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis showed that knowledge, attitude, and motivation collectively explained 83% of the variance in scientific inquiry skills (R = 0.91, R2 = 0.83), but knowledge was the only significant individual predictor (beta = 0.92, t = 48.68, p < .001). The study proposes the Knowledge-Activated Inquiry (KAI) Model, which positions conceptual knowledge as the main activating condition for guided inquiry learning, with motivation and positive learning conditions serving as supportive factors. The findings suggest that strengthening students' scientific inquiry skills requires conceptually grounded, scaffolded, and evidence-based inquiry instruction. Keywords: Scientific Inquiry Skills, Science Knowledge, Attitude Toward Science, Science Motivation, Knowledge-Activated Inquiry Model, Grade 7 Science