What does this competency represent? What does it involve?
Critical Thinking & Inquiry involves questioning, analyzing, and making sense of information, ideas, and assumptions in ways that lead to clear, thoughtful action.
It combines curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to test multiple perspectives before making decisions.
This competency shows up when you gather and assess evidence, challenge biases (including your own), and reframe problems to discover new solutions.
At its best, Critical Thinking & Inquiry doesn’t stop at finding answers — it sparks deeper questions that help teams, communities, and systems adapt and grow in complex, changing environments.
Why does this matter for your future readiness?
Because facing complex problems without curiosity and clear thinking leaves you stuck — or worse, misled.
When you ask better questions, test assumptions, and weigh different perspectives, you make thoughtful decisions that stand up to change.
Critical Thinking & Inquiry prepares you to tackle real-world challenges with insight and creativity — so you’re ready to solve problems that matter, not just accept what’s given.
🌳Tree Roamap
Critical Thinking & Inquiry
The Tree Roadmap helps you see how each competency comes to life — not just in theory, but in daily actions and real-world impact.
Together, these layers help you understand what this competency really looks like, why it matters for your future readiness, and how you can grow it — step by step.
Use the Tree to see your progress, talk about it with others, make strengths and areas for growth visible, set and manage your goals, and help you get wherever you're going next.
Conditions for Practice
& Growth
✅ Do I feel comfortable questioning ideas or assumptions here?
✅ Is there time and space to gather information before making decisions?
✅ Are different perspectives welcomed and explored openly?
Trunk: Daily habits and core actions.
I gather information from different sources before making decisions.
I check facts, ask clarifying questions, and test my assumptions.
I look for bias — in myself, in what I read, and in what I hear.
I compare different solutions to find the best one for the situation.
I ask for feedback and use it to make my ideas stronger.
Rings: Growth and expansion.
I start by questioning my own assumptions and ideas.
I grow by challenging and supporting my peers to think deeply.
I expand by designing solutions or systems that help whole teams and communities make better decisions.
Leaves: Signs I am living and growing this.
I ask “What if?” and “Why?” instead of just accepting what’s given.
I catch myself questioning whether something is true or biased.
I share alternative perspectives to help my team see new angles.
I revise my work based on new insights or feedback.
I help others think through problems step by step.
Roots: The core attitudes and beliefs that I cultivate.
I stay curious and ask questions instead of assuming I know everything.
I’m open to changing my mind when I find better evidence.
I listen to people who disagree with me — they help me see what I might miss.
I want to understand the why behind an idea, not just accept it at face value.
I’m willing to admit when I’m wrong — that’s how I learn.
Fruit: The real impact I create for others.
I turn analysis into real solutions — not just ideas.
I propose improvements or new ways of doing things that make work better for my team.
I publish, present, or share ideas that shape bigger discussions.
I help my community or organization solve problems that matter.
Branches: How I apply it in my settings and experiences.
I challenge ideas respectfully in class discussions or team meetings.
I join projects where I need to solve complex problems — like research, policy debates, or capstones.
I participate in feedback sessions to test ideas and improve them.
I help teammates reframe problems when they get stuck.
I tackle tasks that require me to think critically — like analyzing data or designing better processes.