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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Balloon Rocket Experiment
Complete a hands-on Balloon Rocket experiment to use when investigating how energy can make things move.
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Observing Photosynthesis Experiment (K-2)
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on photosynthesis experiment.
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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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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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Biography of a Paralympian – Inquiry-Based Project
Have your students investigate the life and achievements of a famous Paralympic athlete with this inquiry-based learning project.
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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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Human Impact on the Environment-Research Project
Uncover how humans positively and negatively impact the different biomes around the world with a guided research project.
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End of Year - Build a Board Game Project
Build critical thinking, writing, and reading skills by engaging your students with an end-of-year S.T.E.M 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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Persuasive Speech Project
Use this persuasive speech project to guide your students through the process of researching and constructing a persuasive speech about a significant global issue.
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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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Flood Safety Poster Activity
Explore the impact of flooding and engage your students with a Flood Safety Poster Project.
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Seeking Sound Waves Experiment
Immerse your students in the study of sound and how it travels with our Seeking Sound Waves Experiment.
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Sound Energy Project (Rubber Band Musical Instruments)
Use this sound energy experiment to help your students create rubber band instruments and visualize sound using everyday items.
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Stopping Sound! Insulator Experiment
Explore and test materials to determine their effectiveness with an engaging Sound Insulator Experiment.
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Exploring Sound Energy Experiments
Explore how sound works with an engaging set of Sound Energy Experiments!
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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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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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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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Cup and String Phone - Science Sound Investigation
Build and test a cup and string phone to investigate the transmission of sound waves through different media.
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Analyzing Advertising Inquiry Project
Unlock critical thinking skills by analyzing advertising created in different contexts with this engaging inquiry-based project designed to deepen students’ media literacy.
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Ye Olde Geometry Town Project
Build a charming medieval town with our Ye Olde Geometry Town project, designed to give your students engaging hands-on practice with multiple geometry and social studies standards.
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Volume Activities for Sixth Grade and Fifth Grade
Bring math to life with these volume activities for sixth grade and fifth grade students that will have them building prisms, going on a scavenger hunt, and estimating volumes!
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Observing Chemical Reactions Experiment for Kids
Investigates chemical changes and the law of conservation of mass with our Observing Chemical Reactions Experiments.
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Observing Matter – Edible Science Experiment
Discover the observable properties of matter with an exciting edible science experiment!
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Science Experiment - Changing States of Matter
Investigates how a substance's state of matter can be changed with a hands-on science experiment.
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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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Biodiversity in a Habitat – Inquiry-Based Project
Use this biodiversity project to teach your students about the importance of species survival to life on Earth.
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Can You Save Fred? Activity
Can You Save Fred? Encourage teamwork and resilience with a fun, hands-on problem-solving and team-building STEM activity.
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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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Food Webs - Research Project
Explore the food webs that exist in various biomes around the world with this student-centered inquiry task.