Inquiry Based Learning Activities for Teachers
Explore inquiry-based learning activities created by teachers to launch students into open-ended investigations and tasks that encourage them to think critically and logically to complete tasks.
The projects in this teaching resource collection were created by the teachers on the Teach Starter team to encourage independence and self-management while empowering students!
Curious about adding inquiry based learning to your classroom? Read on for a primer from our teacher team!
What Is Inquiry-Based Learning?
Inquiry-based learning is a pedagogical approach that focuses on active student engagement and exploration by asking questions, investigating and seeking answers.
Whew. That was a mouthful!
Essentially, this approach encourages students to become more independent learners by letting kids be curious and question!
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Sound Research Science Experiment for Kids
Immerse your students in an auditory adventure, exploring sound energy with this engaging experiment.
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Heat Insulators Science Experiment (Keeping Out the Heat)
Investigate heat insulators with your students using this engaging science experiment.
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Plan a Halloween Party – Estimation Project
Plan your own Halloween party and practice estimating sums, differences and products of whole numbers and decimals with an engaging math project!
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Responding to Stress: Small Group Skit Project
This small-group project lets students apply what they've learned about combatting stress by demonstrating practical coping skills.
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Plant Growth in Soils – Science Experiment
Explore how plants grow in different types of soil with this science experiment perfect for elementary school science lessons.
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3rd Grade Odd and Even Properties (The Case of the Missing Trophy Mystery)
Explore odd and even properties in multiplication sums with this fun and engaging mystery project.
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Angles 4th Grade Math Project – Design a Room
Turn your students into interior designers with this inquiry-based math project based on drawing and measuring angles.
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Water Retention in Soils – Science Experiment
Explore the water retention capabilities of sand, silt, loam and clay with this science experiment for kids.
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Bean Growth Experiment
“Grow” your students’ knowledge of plant life cycles with a plant growth experiment.
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Creating Oxygen - Experiment
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on plant experiment.
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Making a Mini Water Cycle - Experiment
Investigate the water cycle with this hands-on experiment.
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Sun Observation Project
Use observations of the sun to describe patterns that can be predicted with this journal project.
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Mother's Day Magazine Article Project
Celebrate Mother’s Day with this creative Mother’s Day magazine project.
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How to Reduce Waste - School Lunch Project
Investigate the waste produced from school lunches and create a plan of action to reduce waste with a school lunch waste analysis project.
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Being Water Wise - Saving Water Poster Project
Learn and demonstrate knowledge about water conservation with a "Being Water Wise" poster project.
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How to Build an Earthworm House Project
Learn to build an earthworm house with a step-by-step instructional guide.
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Oil Spill Science Experiment
Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on science lab!
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How to Catch a Leprechaun STEM Project
Use your engineering and design skills to build a leprechaun trap on St. Patrick's Day!
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We Are Moving – Planet Project Bundle
Use this printable Earth and Space project teaching resource bundle to create projects that develop knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts, research skills and writing skills.
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Lapbook - All About Me Template
Skip the "All About Me" worksheet and create an About Me lapbook on the first day of school.
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One Word Resolution- New Year Goal Setting Project
Inspire your students to reflect and set one-word goals for the new year with a “Just One Word” goal-setting project.
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New Year's Party Planning - STEM Project
Reap the benefits of STEM education by inspiring your students to plan, organize, and budget for a New Year’s Eve party for the classroom.
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3D Christmas Ornaments Printable - STEM Challenge
Challenge your students to make three-dimensional paper Christmas ornaments with a STEM challenge.
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A Map of Our School - Mapmaking Project
Develop primary grade map skills with a map-making project for first and second grade.
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Christmas STEM - Tallest Tree Challenge
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this Christmas Tree Building STEM project.
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Assembly Line Production - STEM Project
Engage your students in learning about the U.S. assembly line process with an exciting project-based task.
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Thanksgiving Project - Plan a Parade!
Plan, design, and create a Thanksgiving Parade with a fun Thanksgiving project!
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American Hero Triorama Project
Identify and encourage research into notable American and Texan heroes with a triorama project.
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Thanksgiving STEM Project — Thanksgiving Turkey Trap
Explore hands-on STEAM concepts with a Thanksgiving Turkey Trap STEM project for elementary students.
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Community Brochure Template
Demonstrate learning about rural, urban, and suburban communities with a Types of Communities brochure template.
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Mapping Our Classroom - Mapmaking Project
Develop primary grade map skills with a classroom mapping project.
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Landform Diorama Project
Create and display a diorama of a landform with our landform project planning and creation templates.