Inquiry has a reputation for being a great way for students to learn but difficult for teachers to implement. It does not have to be that way. Inquiry comes in many forms, which can be adapted for any science classroom at any point in the year for any level of student. In this article the authors describe how to help chemistry students develop a method to answer their own research question, called "open" inquiry, using the reaction of hydrochloric acid and aluminum foil as an example. They explain how to structure this activity to accommodate students' varied experience and comfort levels with inquiry. Teachers can also use this straightforward method to modify other activities they're already using. (Contains 6 figures.)