Google Earth is an exciting way to engage students in scientific inquiry--the foundation of science education standards and reforms. The National Science Education Standards identify inquiry as an active process that incorporates questioning, gathering and analyzing data, and thinking critically about the interplay of evidence and explanations. One of science education's main goals is to, over time, increase students' scientific inquiry skills. Developing inquiry activities can be time intensive and daunting, but researchers recognize educational technology as a means to facilitate inquiry instruction. Google Earth is internet-based, open-source software that supports the sharing of user-developed materials. Teachers can download resources, including activities and lesson plans. In this way, Google Earth promotes the communication and analysis of vast stores of data in an engaging, intuitive interface. This article describes how teachers can use Google Earth to support inquiry instruction in both general and Earth science classrooms. (Contains 5 figures.)