The authors investigated the impact of an open inquiry experience on elementary science methods students‘ understanding of celestial motion. The authors have also examined the tools, resources, and ideas that preservice teachers used to develop their own inquiry investigations to understand their resourcefulness in pursuit of a scientific question. A comparison of participants‘ inquiry projects with the change in their understanding revealed that while most participants improved in both their area of inquiry and beyond, elementary science methods students may need more guidance to reach a full scientific understanding across all aspects of celestial motion.