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
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.
- Free Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Math in the Real World - Budgeting Planning Project
Introduce your students to the world of making a budget with an immersive “It’s My Life” budgeting for kids project.
- Free Plan
Financial Literacy Math Investigation – Pop–Up Shop on Wheels
A mathematics investigation involving financial literacy, embedded in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
Food Webs - Research Project
Explore the food webs that exist in various biomes around the world with this student-centered inquiry task.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Oil Spill Science Experiment
Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on science lab!
- Plus Plan
Math Investigation - Operations with Fractions with Common Denominators
A mathematics investigation about fractions, embedded in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
Unit Fraction Donut Investigation
Explore unit fractions in this fun donut-themed math investigation for your students.
- 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
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.
- Free Plan
Geography Flip Book
A flip book to use when learning about geography.
- Plus Plan
Design a Planet Project
Explore the different planets during this design your own planet project for kids.
- Plus Plan
Heat Conductors Science Experiment (Feel the Heat)
Investigate heat conductors with your students using this engaging science experiment.
- Plus Plan
Personality And Values Activity (Personality Islands Project)
Explore your students’ personalities and values with this fun personality island project.
- Plus Plan
Build Your Own Theme Park – Project
A STEM project embedded in a real-world context.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Free Plan
Capacity Math Investigation - Filling the Fish Tank
A mathematics investigation involving capacity, embedded in a real-world context.
- Free Plan
Science Experiment - Angles of Reflection
A science experiment that explores reflected light.
- Plus Plan
Math Investigation - Exploring Fractions
A mathematics investigation about fractions, embedded in a real-world context.
- Free Plan
Challenging Female Gender Stereotypes Inquiry Task
An inquiry task to use in the classroom when learning about inspirational contemporary women.
- Plus Plan
Design the Perfect Dog Breed - Animal Traits Project
Investigate inherited traits that parents pass to their offspring with a Create-a-Puppy selective dog breeding project.
- Plus Plan
Christmas Science Experiments
Perform Christmas Science Experiments and teach your students about the scientific method with a set of two printable Christmas Science activities.
- Plus Plan
Plant Growth in Soils – Science Experiment
Explore how plants grow in different types of soil with this science experiment perfect for elementary school science lessons.
- Plus Plan
Sun Observation Project
Use observations of the sun to describe patterns that can be predicted with this journal project.
- Plus Plan
How to Build an Earthworm House Project
Learn to build an earthworm house with a step-by-step instructional guide.
- Plus Plan
Christmas STEM - Tallest Tree Challenge
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this Christmas Tree Building STEM project.
- Plus Plan
Thanksgiving Project - Plan a Parade!
Plan, design, and create a Thanksgiving Parade with a fun Thanksgiving project!
- Plus Plan
Christmas STEM Project - Elf Trap
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with an engaging Elf Trap Project!
- Plus Plan
Thanksgiving STEM Project — Thanksgiving Turkey Trap
Explore hands-on STEAM concepts with a Thanksgiving Turkey Trap STEM project for elementary students.
- Free Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Let's Research! Digital and Print Poster Project Templates
Conduct, organize, and display research about books, people, planets, animals, states, and countries with a versatile set of printable and digital poster templates.