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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Leprechaun Trap STEM Challenge
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Trap Stem Challenge.
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Building Leprechaun Traps - Kindergarten STEM Project
Complete a Leprechaun Trap School project with printable Leprechaun Trap STEM worksheets for Kindergarten and 1st grade.
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Math Dream House Project
Introduce this math dream house project to your students to help them increase spatial skills while designing the home of their dreams!
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Create a Board Game – Math STEM Activity
Improve math skills and spark creativity by having students plan, design, and create their own math-based board games.
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Light and Shadow Experiment Design Activity
Explore light and shadow while developing science inquiry skills with our Light and Shadow Experiment design activity pack.
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Predict and Observe Science Investigations Booklet (K-1)
Introduce your K-1 students to scientific investigation with a printable Predict and Observe Science Lab Activity Booklet.
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What Dissolves? Science Inquiry Activity (K-1)
Introduce science inquiry skills and investigate whether materials dissolve in water with a hands-on science experiment for early learners.
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Tornado in a Jar Science Experiment
Create a Tornado in a Jar with an interactive science experiment slide deck and Tornado in a Jar Science Experiment Worksheets.
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Place Value Castle Activity
Help students consolidate their understanding of hundreds, tens and ones with this fun place value castle activity.
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Phases of the Moon – Journal Project
Observe, describe, and record patterns of the lunar cycle with this moon tracking project.
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Science Experiment - Will It Change?
A science investigation in which the students observe changes that occur to various objects over time.
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Financial Literacy Math Investigation – Pop–Up Shop on Wheels
A mathematics investigation involving financial literacy, embedded in a real-world context.
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Shadow Walk Activity Pack (K-1)
Explore light and shadow while building science observation skills with a printable Shadow Walk Activity Pack.
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Cookie Fossil Dig Activity
Host a Cookie Fossil Dig in your classroom to introduce your students to paleontology and fossil excavation.
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Severe Weather STEM - Build a Storm Shelter Project
Design a storm shelter to protect against wind and rain with a hands-on Weather Stem Challenge.
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Paper Airplane Challenge - Measuring Distance Performance Task
Practice measuring distance and have fun hosting a paper plane competition using a printable math investigation workbook.
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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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Human Inherited Traits Activity - Science Experiment
Engage your students in learning about the traits inherited from their parents with a fun Human Inherited Traits Lab activity.
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Line Plot Project: Bakery Menu Design
Make learning about math as sweet as your students' favorite treats with this project based learning line plots exercise!
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Food Webs - Research Project
Explore the food webs that exist in various biomes around the world with this student-centered inquiry task.
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End of Year Project - Lemonade Stand Design
Reap the benefits of STEM education by inviting young entrepreneurs to develop a Lemonade Stand with a STEM education project.
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Plan Your Dream Vacation PDF / Slides Project
Prepare for a summer vacation with an end-of-the-year STEM activity.
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Design a Food Truck Math Project
Introduce your students to the world of Food Trucks as they master math, STEM, and art to design and run their own food truck.
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Kinetic and Potential Energy: Pendulum Experiment
A science experiment to use with your students when learning about kinetic and potential energy and work.
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Persuade Your Parents – Persuasive Writing Project
Download this ‘Persuade Your Parents’ persuasive writing project to guide your students through the process of convincing a parent or carer to change a household rule.
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Environmental Impact Experiment Pack
Observe the effects of soil, salinity, sunlight, and temperature on the growth of plants with an engaging Environmental Impact Experiment.
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Moving Materials Science Experiment Pack
Explore materials and how they behave with an engaging Moving Materials Science experiment pack.
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Paralympic Games Historical Timeline – Inquiry-Based Project
Introduce your students to the rich history of the Paralympic Games with this inquiry-based learning project.
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Observing Photosynthesis Experiment (K-2)
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on photosynthesis experiment.
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Science Experiment - What Snacks Do Ants Prefer?
Teach your students how to make scientific predictions and observations with an engaging hands-on science experiment..
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Style of an Author Inquiry Project
Explore the style of an author with this engaging classroom project that helps students analyse, understand and present what makes an author’s writing unique.
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Volume and Capacity Activity — "Splash World" Math Investigation
Use this volume and capacity activity to expose your students to real-world volume applications by letting them design “Splash World” - their very own waterpark!