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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Build Your Own Theme Park – Project
A STEM project embedded in a real-world context.
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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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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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Celebrating Inspirational Women Inquiry Task
An inquiry task to use in the classroom when learning about inspirational contemporary women.
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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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Challenging Female Gender Stereotypes Inquiry Task
An inquiry task to use in the classroom when learning about inspirational contemporary women.
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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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Build a Pizza Box Oven - Solar Energy STEM Project
Build a pizza box solar oven to demonstrate the power of thermal energy with an exciting Solar Oven Stem Project
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Bread Mold Experiment
Observe how the environment causes changes in mold growth with an engaging Bread Mold Experiment.
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Rubber Band Guitar - Sound Energy Project
Use this sound energy experiment to help your students create rubber band instruments and visualize sound using everyday items.
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Word Origins Inquiry Project
Download this word origins project where students will investigate a Greek or Latin root word and use their research to create an engaging museum-style exhibit.
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Alternative Energy Sources Poster Project
Research, explore, and learn about alternative energy sources with an engaging Energy Sources Poster Project.
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Compare and Contrast Stories – Literature Project
Get your students to compare and contrast stories with this structured literary analysis project, where students identify similarities and differences between two texts based on similar themes.
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Build a Bird Feeder Project (Recycling)
Experience the engineering process and introduce your students to sustainable design with an exciting Build-a-Bird Feeder project using recycled materials.
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Plantable Seed Paper Activity Pack
Make your own Plantable Seed Paper and learn about physical changes, recycling, and biodegradable materials with a printable Make Your Own Paper Activity pack.
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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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Earthquake Inquiry Task - Newspaper Report
Explore the effects of historical earthquake events with an engaging Earthquake Inquiry Task.
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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.
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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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Animals Surviving With Sound Research Project
Assign an Animal Sound Research Project to encourage your students to explore how animals use sound to survive in the wild.
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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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Observing Conduction Experiment - Thermal Energy
Teach students to make predictions about and observe thermal energy transfer through this conduction experiment.
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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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Persuade Your Parents – Persuasive Writing Project
Download this ‘Persuade Your Parents’ persuasive writing project to guide your students through the process of convincing a parent or carer to change a household rule.
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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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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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Predict and Observe Science Investigations Booklet (K-1)
Introduce your K-1 students to scientific investigation with a printable Predict and Observe Science Lab Activity Booklet.
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What Dissolves? Science Inquiry Activity (K-1)
Introduce science inquiry skills and investigate whether materials dissolve in water with a hands-on science experiment for early learners.
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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..