Within the context of higher education for science or engineering undergraduates, we present an
inquiry-driven learning path aimed at developing a more meaningful conceptual understanding of the
electron dynamics in semiconductors in the presence of applied electric fields. The electron
transport in a nondegenerate n-type indium phosphide bulk semiconductor is modelled using a
multivalley Monte Carlo approach. The main characteristics of the electron dynamics are explored
under different values of the driving electric field, lattice temperature and impurity density.
Simulation results are presented by following a question-driven path of exploration, starting from
the validation of the model and moving up to reasoned inquiries about the observed characteristics
of electron dynamics. Our inquiry-driven learning path, based on numerical simulations, represents a
viable example of how to integrate a traditional lecture-based teaching approach with effective
learning strategies, provi…