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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End of Year Project - Lemonade Stand Design
Reap the benefits of STEM education by inviting young entrepreneurs to develop a Lemonade Stand with a STEM education project.
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End of Year - Island Resort Design Project
Create and design your own Island Resort with a fun end of year art and STEM project for elementary students.
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Plan a Summer Trip
Prepare for a summer vacation with an end-of-the-year STEM activity.
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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.
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World Changing Women 3D Cube Project
Research and record biographical information about 6 historical women and discuss the impacts of their contributions.
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A Visual Story of ME! - Timeline Template
Apply knowledge of chronological order while students create a personal timeline highlighting important milestones.
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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.
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Magnet Experiment – Magnetic Flux Lines
Use this engaging magnet experiment when teaching your students about magnetic fields and their effect on magnetic objects.
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Science Experiment - Will It Change?
A science investigation in which the students observe changes that occur to various objects over time.
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Geography Flip Book
A flip book to use when learning about geography.
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Flood Safety Poster Activity
An activity for students to demonstrate their understanding of the impact of floods.
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Density Column Science Experiment
A science experiment to use with your students when learning about density.
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A New Beginning – Island Economy Activity
An activity where students work together to create an economy on a deserted island.
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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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Patterns Math Investigation - Bands of Friendship
A mathematics investigation involving patterns, embedded in a real-world context.
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2-D Shape Math Investigation - My Crazy Playhouse!
A mathematics investigation involving 2-D shape, embedded in a real-world context.
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Volume Investigation - Creating the Land of Cubes
A mathematics investigation involving volume, embedded in a real-world context.
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Electricity Experiment
An experiment to investigate if electricity moves better through different gage wires.
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Balloon Rocket - Experiment
A hands-on experiment to use when investigating how energy can make things move.
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Mass Investigation - How Heavy Are the Objects in Your Classroom?
Explore the mass of objects in the classroom with this mass mathematics investigation embedded in a real-world context.
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Science Experiment - True Colors
A science experiment that explores the perception of color.
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Salt Water Density Experiment
A hands-on science experiment about salt water density.
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Science Experiment - Suck It Up!
A science experiment which investigates the absorptive properties of various materials.
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Data Math Investigation - Should I Buy It?
Practice collecting and graphing data in a real-world situation.
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Chance and Data Math Investigation - Roll Me a Six!
A mathematics investigation involving chance and data, embedded in a real-world context.
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Data Math Investigation - Which Reward?
A mathematics investigation involving data collection and representation, embedded in a real-world context.
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Science Experiment - Angles of Reflection
A science experiment that explores reflected light.
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Science Experiment - Lights Line Up!
A science experiment which explores light.
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3D Shapes Math Investigation - Make Me a Radical Robot!
Relate knowledge of 3D shapes to the real world with this student-led mathematics project.
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Changing Shadows – Science Experiment
A science experiment which explores how shadows change throughout the day.
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Science Experiment - What Snacks Do Ants Prefer?
A science experiment which explores the food preferences of ants.
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The Solar System in Our Space – Mathematics Investigation
A mathematics investigation about number and the scale of the solar system, embedded in a real-world context.