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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Winter Paralympic Games – Inquiry-Based Project
Have your students investigate the requirements of being a Paralympic Winter Games host city with this inquiry-based learning project.
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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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Moving Materials Science Experiment Pack
Explore materials and how they behave with an engaging Moving Materials Science experiment pack.
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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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Pizza Fractions – Hands-On Materials
Use these hands-on materials to improve your student's understanding of fraction models and equivalent fractions while making a pizza.
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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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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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Hands on Volume Activities: Popcorn Challenge!
Make learning “pop” with hands on volume activities like this popcorn challenge!
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Assistive Devices in the Paralympic Games – Inquiry-Based Project
Have your students investigate the assistive devices used by Paralympians with this inquiry-based learning project.
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Nonfiction Text Features – All About Me Project
Implement a text features project with an “All About Me” theme to explore informational text features with your students.
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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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Roll or Slide Worksheets - Science Inquiry (K-1)
Explore motion and boost science inquiry skills with Roll or Slide Worksheets.
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Write a Biography Project
Engage students in an enriching biography project that guides them through researching and writing about a famous person.
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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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Making Butter in a Jar – States of Matter Lab Activity
Have fun making butter in a jar in this exciting Changing States of Matter Lab Activity.
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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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Place Value STEM Challenge - Number Forms
Build, write, and read 3-digit numbers in base ten, word, and expanded forms with an engaging Place Value Building Project!
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Introduction to the Paralympic Games – Inquiry-Based Project
Introduce your students to the key components of the Paralympic Games with this inquiry-based learning project.
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Design a Conservation T-Shirt – Inquiry-Based Project
Use this conservation project to teach your students about how to ignite positive change in the face of a global environmental crisis.
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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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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 Garden Math Project
Get students to design a garden with this student-centered perimeter project for 3rd and 4th grade students.
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Math Investigation - Decimals and Percentages
Get your students connecting their math knowledge to the real world with this decimals and percentages party planning project.
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Cookie Erosion Experiment
Discover the effects of water erosion with a printable Cookie Erosion Experiment for kids!
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Observing Photosynthesis Experiment (K-2)
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on photosynthesis experiment.
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Data Collection Project
Complete this data collection project with your students to give them practice developing a statistical question, collecting data, and displaying the results.
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Busy Bees Pollination Activity - Hands-On Science
Discover the process of pollination with a printable Bee Pollination Activity using cheese puffs and paper flowers.
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Animal Adaptations Project & Report
Strengthen your students' understanding of conducting research with an Animal Adaptations project.
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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!
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Persuasive Letter Assignment
Use this persuasive letter assignment to guide your students through the process of writing a persuasive letter to their school principal.
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Fairy Tale STEM - Cinderella's New Shoes Design Challenge
Use Fairy Tale STEM Challenges in your classroom and enlist your students help in designing Cinderella's new shoes with an exciting design task.
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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.