ABSTRACT: Inquiry-based science education (IBSE) seems to be the appropriate method to encourage interest in science and technology education. The core principles of IBSE are involvement of students in discovering natural laws, linking information into a meaningful context, developing critical thinking and promoting positive attitudes towards science. IBSE is suitable in the education of all students, including gifted ones. For gifted students some components of IBSE must be selected and modified. The use of IBSE also allows teachers to discover hidden giftedness, because it enables an individual approach to students. IBSE matches the special educational needs of gifted students, because it corresponds with their behaviour. Gifted students have many questions, are curious, have unusual ideas etc. The objective of our research is to find which components of IBSE are suitable for gifted students. The main research method used in this study is design-based research. IBSE components for gifted students are a very important part of teachers' continuous professional development (CPD). Teachers and parents also need teaching/learning materials for gifted students. Our research outcomes have been created within the European project PROFILES, which supports science teachers in their use of IBSE.
KEY WORDS: IBSE, inquiry-based, gifted students