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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Odd and Even Properties Investigation
Explore odd and even number properties with this fun chef inspired investigation project.
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Water Retention in Soils – Science Experiment
Explore the water retention capabilities of sand, silt, loam and clay with this science experiment for kids.
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Inherited and Acquired Plant Traits Research Project
Help your students uncover the different inherited and acquired traits of plants with a research project!
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Capillary Action in Plants - Science Experiment Booklet
Observe and record learning about the Capillary Action of Plants with a printable science experiment guidebook.
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Bean Growth Experiment
“Grow” your students’ knowledge of plant life cycles with a plant growth experiment.
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Making a Mini Water Cycle - Experiment
Investigate the water cycle with this hands-on experiment.
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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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Being Water Wise - Saving Water Poster Project
Learn and demonstrate knowledge about water conservation with a "Being Water Wise" poster project.
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How to Build an Earthworm House Project
Learn to build an earthworm house with a step-by-step instructional guide.
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Oil Spill Experiment
Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on oil spill experiment
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Building Leprechaun Traps - Kindergarten STEM Project
Complete a Leprechaun Trap School project with printable Leprechaun Trap STEM worksheets for Kindergarten and 1st grade.
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World Geography – Country Research Project Inquiry Task
Help your students discover new countries with our printable country research project template.
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We Are Moving – Planet Project Bundle
Use this printable Earth and Space project teaching resource bundle to create projects that develop knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts, research skills and writing skills.
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Lapbook - All About Me Template
Skip the "All About Me" worksheet and create an About Me lapbook on the first day of school.
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Who is Amanda Gorman? Biography Research Template
Conduct and organize Amanda Gorman facts and research with a printable or digital flipbook activity.
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A Map of Our School - Mapmaking Project
Develop primary grade map skills with a map-making project for first and second grade.
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Christmas STEM - Tallest Tree Challenge
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this Christmas Tree Building STEM 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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Thanksgiving Project - Plan a Parade!
Plan, design, and create a Thanksgiving Parade with a fun Thanksgiving project!
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Christmas STEM Project - Elf Trap
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with an engaging Elf Trap Project!
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American Hero Triorama Project
Identify and encourage research into notable American and Texan heroes with a triorama project.
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Thanksgiving STEM Project — Thanksgiving Turkey Trap
Explore hands-on STEAM concepts with a Thanksgiving Turkey Trap STEM project for elementary students.
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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.
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Mapping Our Classroom - Mapmaking Project
Develop primary grade map skills with a classroom mapping project.
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Landform Diorama Project
Create and display a diorama of a landform with our landform project planning and creation templates.
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All About Me Time Capsule Worksheet Pack
Use this printable All About Me Time Capsule Worksheet Pack as a fun first day of school activity!
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Build a Crayon Box – STEM Activity
Foster critical thinking and problem solving with this back to school STEM activity.
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Goods and Services Advertisement Project
Engage your learners with an end-of-unit Goods and Services project.
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Back to School STEM Challenges – Grades 4-6
Integrate STEM activities into your back-to-school plans by guiding students to create a name badge, cantilever, and school mascot.
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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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Differentiated Geographic Location Project-Primary and Upper Elementary
Uncover how geographic location affects the culture, customs, clothing, food, and overall lifestyle of humans with a differentiated research project.
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Back to School - Desk Nameplate Craftivity Project
Celebrate the first day of school, get to know your students, and learn everyone’s names with a first day name plate craftivity project.