Inquiry-based teaching,as a student-centered instructional model,is fundamentally characterized by enabling students to construct knowledge and develop skills through exploratory activities.Implementing inquiry-based teaching at the elementary level is of great significance for fostering students'creativity and practical abilities.This paper traces the historical origins of inquiry-based teaching,provides a detailed analysis of its development in China,and explores its practical outcomes in science education.These outcomes include the transformation of teachers'roles,the diversification of teaching methods,the expansion of teaching resources and spaces,and the improvement of evaluation standards.In the final part,the paper offers a forward-looking perspective on the future of inquiry-based teaching,aiming to provide educators with a deeper understanding to promote the continuous improvement and development of science education.