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!
- Free Plan
Financial Literacy Math Investigation – Pop–Up Shop on Wheels
A mathematics investigation involving financial literacy, embedded in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
Observing Matter – Edible Science Experiment
Discover the observable properties of matter with an exciting edible science experiment!
- Plus Plan
Science Experiment - Changing States of Matter
Investigates how a substance's state of matter can be changed with a hands-on science experiment.
- Plus Plan
Write With Your Senses: Daily Descriptive Writing Prompts
Inspire your students to write descriptively using our 20 daily descriptive writing prompts slide deck and graphic organizer.
- Plus Plan
School Supply Shopping - Upper Grades
Calculate the cost of school supplies and answer questions with this back-to-school math activity.
- Plus Plan
Science Experiment - Observing a Chemical Reaction
A science experiment that investigates chemical changes and the law of conservation of mass.
- Plus Plan
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!
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Making a Timeline of My Life Project
Teach your students how to make a timeline with a Create a Timeline Project.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Paper Airplane Challenge - Measuring Distance Performance Task
Practice measuring distance and have fun hosting a paper plane competition using a printable math investigation workbook.
- Free Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Butterfly Camouflage Activity Pack
Experience camouflage in butterflies and create an engaging scientific simulation with our printable butterfly camouflage activity pack.
- Free Plan
Creating Oxygen - Experiment
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on plant experiment.
- Plus Plan
Food Truck Frenzy! End-of-Year Project Based STEM Learning Activity
Introduce your students to the world of Food Trucks as they master math, STEM, and art to design and run their own food truck.
- Plus Plan
Volume Investigation - Creating the Land of Cubes
A mathematics investigation involving volume, embedded in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
Math Investigation - Decimals and Percentages
Get your students connecting their math knowledge to the real world with this decimals and percentages party planning project.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Going, Going, Gone! - Changing States of Matter Experiment
Explore the changing states of matter due to temperature with an engaging science lab activity.
- Free Plan
Design a Paralympic Logo – Inquiry-Based Project
Have your students design a new logo for their country’s Paralympic Team with this inquiry-based learning project.
- Plus Plan
Unit Fraction Donut Investigation
Explore unit fractions in this fun donut-themed math investigation for your students.
- Plus Plan
Sound Energy Project (Rubber Band Musical Instruments)
Use this sound energy experiment to help your students visualize sound using everyday items.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Heat Conductors Science Experiment (Feel the Heat)
Investigate heat conductors with your students using this engaging science experiment.
- Plus Plan
Bean Growth Experiment
“Grow” your students’ knowledge of plant life cycles with a plant growth experiment.
- Free Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Oil Spill Science Experiment
Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on science lab!
- Plus Plan
Build Your Own Theme Park – Project
A STEM project embedded in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Thanksgiving Project - Plan a Parade!
Plan, design, and create a Thanksgiving Parade with a fun Thanksgiving project!
- Plus Plan
All About Me Time Capsule
Build a self-portrait time capsule as a fun first day of school activity!