An inquiry-based learning program was designed and applied practically to an introductory seminar for the first-year students in our pre-service science teacher training course. From the scheduled filed observations at Asa-zoo, students found several topics for their laboratory inquiries. Through information collection and discussions, seven research subjects were determined by students themselves. The respective subjects were researched by small groups less than 6 members, where variety of inquiry processes were turned out depending on the subjects. The results of the inquiries were presented in class, followed by discussions. The individual students were requested to submit a report on the laboratory inquiry as the final task of the learning program. In the present paper, the practice of the learning program is reported and evaluated from the viewpoints of orientation for the first-year students and pre-service science teacher training.