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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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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Design a Planet Project
Explore the different planets during this design your own planet project for kids.
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Back to School - Desk Nameplate Craftivity Project
Celebrate the first day of school, get to know your students, and learn everyone’s names with a first day name plate craftivity project.
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Back to School STEM Challenge Cards – Primary
Integrate STEM activities into your back-to-school plans by guiding students to create a picture frame, name tag, and pencil cup.
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Science Experiment - Angles of Reflection
A science experiment that explores reflected light.
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Earthquake Inquiry Task - Newspaper Report
Explore the effects of historical earthquake events with an engaging Earthquake Inquiry Task.
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Flood Safety Poster Activity
Explore the impact of flooding and engage your students with a Flood Safety Poster Project.
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How Does Heat Move? Experiment
Observe how heat moves in hot and cold water with an engaging How Does Heat Move? Experiment.
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Natural Disasters Project
Assign a natural disaster project to engage your students in researching and creating a natural disaster poster about a historical event.
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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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Pirate Ship Building STEM Challenge (5-6)
Challenge upper grade students to build a pirate ship with a fun (and engaging) STEM Building challenge created by teachers, for teachers.
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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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Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment
Use this science experiment when learning about the different types and features of clouds and how they contribute to the water cycle.
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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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Math in the Real World - Budgeting Planning Project
Introduce your students to the world of making a budget with an immersive “It’s My Life” budgeting for kids project.
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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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American Hero Triorama Project
Identify and encourage research into notable American and Texan heroes with a triorama project.
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All About Me Time Capsule Worksheet Pack
Use this printable All About Me Time Capsule Worksheet Pack as a fun first day of school activity!
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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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Back to School Supply Shopping Task - Primary Grades
Calculate the cost of school supplies and answer questions with this back-to-school math activity.
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Capacity Math Investigation - Filling the Fish Tank
A mathematics investigation involving capacity, embedded in a real-world context.
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2-D Shape Math Investigation - My Crazy Playhouse!
A mathematics investigation involving 2-D shape, embedded in a real-world context.
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Data Math Investigation - Should I Buy It?
Practice collecting and graphing data in a real-world situation.
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Data Math Investigation - Which Reward?
A mathematics investigation involving data collection and representation, embedded in a real-world context.
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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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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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Does Air Have Mass? Matter Science Experiments
Explore the physical properties of gases and discover that air has mass with a set of 4 matter experiments for kids.
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Friction Experiment - Sticky Friction
Use this engaging friction experiment when teaching your students about sliding friction and the effect it has on the movement of objects.
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Exploring How Light Travels Experiment
Help your students uncover how light moves with this hands‑on How Light Travels experiment pack.
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Seeing Light - Transparent, Translucent, Opaque Materials Experiment
Explore samples of transparent, translucent, and opaque materials with an engaging Light Energy Experiment.
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Observing Temperature Changes - Moving Heat Experiment
Explore heat transfer and practice measuring temperature with a thermometer in this Moving Heat Experiment.