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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Heat Conductors Science Experiment (Feel the Heat)
Investigate heat conductors with your students using this engaging science experiment.
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Line Plot Project: Bakery Menu Design
Make learning about math as sweet as your students' favorite treats with this project based learning line plots exercise!
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Data Collection Investigation Project
Assign this data collection project to enable students to master the skills of acquiring and recording data.
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Plan a Halloween Party – Estimation Project
Plan your own Halloween party and practice estimating sums, differences and products of whole numbers and decimals with an engaging math project!
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Responding to Stress: Small Group Skit Project
This small-group project lets students apply what they've learned about combatting stress by demonstrating practical coping skills.
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3rd Grade Odd and Even Properties (The Case of the Missing Trophy Mystery)
Explore odd and even properties in multiplication sums with this fun and engaging mystery project.
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Personality And Values Activity (Personality Islands Project)
Explore your students’ personalities and values with this fun personality island project.
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Angles 4th Grade Math Project – Design a Room
Turn your students into interior designers with this inquiry-based math project based on drawing and measuring angles.
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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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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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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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Sun Observation Project
Use observations of the sun to describe patterns that can be predicted with this journal project.
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Phases of the Moon – Journal Project
Observe, describe, and record patterns of the lunar cycle with this moon tracking project.
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Mother's Day Magazine Article Project
Celebrate Mother’s Day with this creative Mother’s Day magazine project.
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Rain Cloud in a Jar Experiment
Use this science experiment when learning about the different types and features of clouds and how they contribute to the water cycle.
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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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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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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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Making a Timeline of My Life Project
Teach your students how to make a timeline with a Create a Timeline Project.
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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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Mapping Our Classroom - Mapmaking Project
Develop primary grade map skills with a classroom mapping project.
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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 Supply Shopping Task - Primary Grades
Calculate the cost of school supplies and answer questions with this back-to-school math activity.
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School Supply Shopping - Upper Grades
Calculate the cost of school supplies and answer questions with this back-to-school math activity.
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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.
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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.
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Nonfiction Text Features – All About Me Project
Implement a text features project with an “All About Me” theme to explore informational text features with your students.
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End of Year- Carnival Planning Project
Integrate STEM activities into your end-of-year lessons by inviting young entrepreneurs to plan, design, and advertise their own carnival!
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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.