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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How to Reduce Waste - School Lunch Project
Investigate the waste produced from school lunches and create a plan of action to reduce waste with a school lunch waste analysis project.
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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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Assembly Line Production - STEM Project
Engage your students in learning about the U.S. assembly line process with an exciting project-based task.
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Back to School - Plan a Field Trip Project
Integrate STEM activities into your beginning-of-year math and economics lessons by inviting your students to plan a field trip, calculate costs, and follow a budget.
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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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Geography Flip Book
A flip book to use when learning about geography.
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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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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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Celebrations Around The World - Inquiry Task
A four page inquiry task, assessing students' knowledge of cultural celebrations from around the world.
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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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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 Erosion Experiment
Discover the effects of water erosion with a printable Cookie Erosion Experiment for kids!
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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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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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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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Unit Fraction Donut Investigation
Explore unit fractions in this fun donut-themed math investigation for your students.
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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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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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What Can Wind Move? Wind Power Experiment
Investigate the power of wind with a printable Wind Power Experiment for kindergarten.
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Geometry City Project
Engage your learners with this cross-curricular geometry city project that invites them to build a digital city all their own.
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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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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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Observing Conduction Science Experiment
Teach students to make predictions about and observe thermal energy transfer through this conduction experiment.
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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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Fossils Science Project Pack
Use a printable fossils science project pack to give your students choices on how to show their knowledge of the types of fossils and how they are created.
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Biography of an Immigrant Writing Project
Uncover the untold stories of migrants with an enriching biography research project for 5th graders.
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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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Write a Biography Project
Engage students in an enriching biography project that guides them through researching and writing about a famous person.