Curiosity and wonder are crucial yet underacknowledged prerequisites to the NGSS science practice of asking questions. This article describes an activity sequence I have used for years with pre-service elementary teachers which asks students to consider and investigate an organism that is all around them, yet typically overlooked. The inquiry-based lesson sequence consists of a science talk, specimen observations/collection, small group exploration, and closing video/discussion. Though lichen is the focal organism, the sequence can be used with any organism that is prevalent in the local environment and underappreciated. Keywords: Asking questions and defining problems; nature of science; curriculum and instruction; instructional strategies; life science.