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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Observing Photosynthesis Experiment (K-2)
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on photosynthesis experiment.
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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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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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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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What Can Wind Move? Wind Power Experiment
Investigate the power of wind with a printable Wind Power Experiment for kindergarten.
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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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Analysing News Articles Inquiry Project
Spark curiosity and critical thinking by analyzing news articles through an engaging inquiry project that helps students understand how context shapes the news we read.
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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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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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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.
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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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Hands on Volume Activities: Popcorn Challenge!
Make learning “pop” with hands on volume activities like this popcorn challenge!
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European Ecosystem Project
Explore the natural environment of Europe with this engaging European Ecosystem project.
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Root Beer Float – Solid, Liquid, Gas Science Lab
Explore solids, liquids and gases while making tasty treats with an exciting Root Beer Float Science Experiment.
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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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Outdoor STEM Activities Resource Pack
Take your STEM lessons outside with our printable Outdoor STEM Activities Resource Pack.
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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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Design a Pirate Ship - STEM Science Project (3-4)
Build a pirate ship and get your students thinking outside the box (or boat) with exciting pirate-themed STEM science projects.
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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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Build a Pirate Ship - STEM Design Challenge (1-2)
Challenge your first and second graders to build a pirate ship with a STEM design challenge.
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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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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.
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Shelter Building STEM Challenge (1-2)
Discove rhow shelters protect living things by challenging your students to build an animal shelter in this Shelter Building Stem Activity.
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Simple Machines Roller Coaster Challenge - STEM Project
Implement a Roller Coaster Stem Project to help your students demonstrate knowledge of simple machines.
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Leprechaun Trap STEM Challenge
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Trap Stem Challenge.
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Evaporation Experiment - Cover to Conserve
Investigate if evaporation can be reduced by covering a body of water with a hands on Evaporation Experiment.
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Changing Matter Experiment – How Long Will It Take to Melt?
Explore how solids change into liquids with an exciting hands-on Matter science experiment.
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2nd Grade - Properties of Matter Investigation
Investigate properties of matter, including temperature, state, flexibility and texture, with a hands-on Matter Activity for 2nd Grade.