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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World Geography – Country Research Project Inquiry Task
Help your students discover new countries with our printable country research project template.
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Build Your Own Theme Park – Project
A STEM project embedded in a real-world context.
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Making a Timeline of My Life Project
Teach your students how to make a timeline with a Create a Timeline Project.
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Christmas STEM Project - Elf Trap
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with an engaging Elf Trap Project!
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Build a Crayon Box – STEM Activity
Foster critical thinking and problem solving with this back to school STEM activity.
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Back to School STEM Challenges – Grades 4-6
Integrate STEM activities into your back-to-school plans by guiding students to create a name badge, cantilever, and school mascot.
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End of Year- Carnival Planning Project
Integrate STEM activities into your end-of-year lessons by inviting young entrepreneurs to plan, design, and advertise their own carnival!
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Science Experiment - Observing a Chemical Reaction
A science experiment that investigates chemical changes and the law of conservation of mass.
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Force and Motion Experiment – Throwing, Dropping, Bouncing, Rolling
Use this hands-on force and motion experiment when teaching your students about how forces influence the movement of objects.
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Geography Flip Book
A flip book to use when learning about geography.
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Celebrating Inspirational Women Inquiry Task
An inquiry task to use in the classroom when learning about inspirational contemporary women.
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Patterns Math Investigation - Bands of Friendship
A mathematics investigation involving patterns, embedded in a real-world context.
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Length Investigation - The Longest Finger
A mathematics investigation involving length, embedded in a real-world context.
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Celebrations Around The World - Inquiry Task
A four page inquiry task, assessing students' knowledge of cultural celebrations from around the world.
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Bobby's Board Games – Math Game Challenge
Challenge students to design and create a math board game.
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Salt Water Density Experiment
A hands-on science experiment about salt water density.
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Science Experiment - Angles of Reflection
A science experiment that explores reflected light.
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3D Shapes Math Investigation - Make Me a Radical Robot!
Relate knowledge of 3D shapes to the real world with this student-led mathematics project.
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The Solar System in Our Space – Mathematics Investigation
A mathematics investigation about number and the scale of the solar system, embedded in a real-world context.
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Adding and Subtracting Fractions Math Investigation
Immerse your students in all things fractions with this math project based around a real-world scenario.
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Build a Pirate Ship STEM Challenge for 2nd & 3rd Grades
This build a pirate ship challenge is the perfect STEM activity to get second and third graders thinking out of the box (and the boat!).
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Rio Carnival - Inquiry Research Task
An inquiry task where students research the history of Rio Carnival.
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Location Math Investigation - Blackbeard's Bounty
A mathematics investigation about location, embedded in a real-world context.
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Monster Mashup - Inherited Traits Activity
Introduce your students to inherited traits and learned behaviors through an exciting Monster Mashup Inherited Traits Activity!
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Bird Beak Lab Activity
Discover how birds’ beaks help them find food and survive in the wild with a hands-on Bird Beak Adaptation Lab.
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Butterfly Camouflage Activity Pack
Experience camouflage in butterflies and create an engaging scientific simulation with our printable butterfly camouflage activity pack.
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Animal Blubber Experiment - Polar Adaptations Activity
Explores the structural adaptation of blubber with an Arctic Animal Adaptation experiment..
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Animals That Adapt - Research Project & Report
Strengthen your students' understanding of conducting research with an Animal Adaptations research project.
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Wheel of Heat Transfer Project
Explore the process of heat transfer with this engaging wheel of heat project.
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Christmas Science Experiments
Perform Christmas Science Experiments and teach your students about the scientific method with a set of two printable Christmas Science activities.
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Sound Energy Project (Rubber Band Musical Instruments)
Use this sound energy experiment to help your students visualize sound using everyday items.
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Sound Energy Project (Buzzing Balloons)
Engage your class with this sound energy exploration! This simple experiment will show students how sound is produced by a source and can be sensed.