In an increasing number of schools and school systems, active, hands-on science is gaining momentum and realizing remarkable gains in students' science, literacy, and mathematics standardized test achievement. Two recent major research projects have documented significant improvements in objective test results, which are supported by extensive anecdotal reports spanning more than 40 years of successful inquiry science implementation, all speaking to the power of hands-on, "minds-on" science to engage and interest children, to help them learn and apply scientific concepts, and to make them better problem solvers in other core academic disciplines as well. This article describes inquiry-based science instruction as a methodology that embodies a powerful instructional initiative with the potential to profoundly impact how well and how eagerly teachers teach and children learn science. (Contains 13 resources.)