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!
- Plus Plan
Back to School STEM Challenge Cards – Primary
Integrate STEM activities into your back-to-school plans by guiding students to create a picture frame, name tag, and pencil cup.
- Plus Plan
STEM Activity — Ice Cream Shop Design Project
Use reading, writing, math, and STEM skills to plan, design, and advertise an Ice Cream Shop with a STEM education project for elementary students.
- Plus Plan
Plan Your Dream Vacation PDF / Slides Project
Prepare for a summer vacation with an end-of-the-year STEM activity.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
World Changing Women 3D Cube Project
Research and record biographical information about 6 historical women and discuss the impacts of their contributions.
- Plus Plan
A Visual Story of ME! - Timeline Template
Apply knowledge of chronological order while students create a personal timeline highlighting important milestones.
- Plus Plan
Buoyancy Experiment – Sink or Swim
Use this practical buoyancy experiment when teaching your students about why some objects float in water while others sink.
- Plus Plan
Friction Experiment - Sticky Friction
Use this engaging friction experiment when teaching your students about sliding friction and the effect it has on the movement of objects.
- Plus Plan
Force and Motion Experiment – Throwing, Dropping, Bouncing, Rolling
Use this hands-on force and motion experiment when teaching your students about how forces influence the movement of objects.
- Plus Plan
Magnet Experiment – Magnetic Flux Lines
Use this engaging magnet experiment when teaching your students about magnetic fields and their effect on magnetic objects.
- Plus Plan
Science Experiment - Will It Change?
A science investigation in which the students observe changes that occur to various objects over time.
- Free Plan
Geography Flip Book
A flip book to use when learning about geography.
- Plus Plan
Flood Safety Poster Activity
An activity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the impact of floods.
- Plus Plan
Kinetic and Potential Energy: Pendulum Experiment
A science experiment to use with your students when learning about kinetic and potential energy and work.
- Plus Plan
Density Column Science Experiment
A science experiment to use with your students when learning about density.
- Plus Plan
A New Beginning – Island Economy Activity
An activity where students work together to create an economy on a deserted island.
- Plus Plan
Balloon Car Experiment – Speed Racer
Use this hands-on balloon car experiment when teaching your 5th grade students about thrust force and its effect on the speed of objects.
- Free Plan
Celebrating Inspirational Women Inquiry Task
An inquiry task to use in the classroom when learning about inspirational contemporary women.
- Plus Plan
Patterns Math Investigation - Bands of Friendship
A mathematics investigation involving patterns, embedded in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
2-D Shape Math Investigation - My Crazy Playhouse!
A mathematics investigation involving 2-D shape, embedded in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
Volume Investigation - Creating the Land of Cubes
A mathematics investigation involving volume, embedded in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
Design a Garden Math Project
Get students to design a garden with this student-centered perimeter project for 3rd and 4th grade students.
- Plus Plan
Electricity Experiment
An experiment to investigate if electricity moves better through different gage wires.
- Plus Plan
Celebrations Around The World - Inquiry Task
A four page inquiry task, assessing students' knowledge of cultural celebrations from around the world.
- Plus Plan
Science Experiment - True Colors
A science experiment that explores the perception of color.
- Plus Plan
Salt Water Density Experiment
A hands-on science experiment about salt water density.
- Plus Plan
Science Experiment - Suck It Up!
A science experiment which investigates the absorptive properties of various materials.
- Plus Plan
Data Math Investigation - Should I Buy It?
Practice collecting and graphing data in a real-world situation.
- Plus Plan
Chance and Data Math Investigation - Roll Me a Six!
A mathematics investigation involving chance and data, embedded in a real-world context.
- Free Plan
Science Experiment - Angles of Reflection
A science experiment that explores reflected light.
- Plus Plan
Science Experiment - Shine Bright, Electric Light!
A science experiment that investigates how changes to electrical circuits affects their components.