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
Water Retention in Soils – Science Experiment
Explore the water retention capabilities of sand, silt, loam and clay with this science experiment for kids.
- Plus Plan
Inherited and Acquired Plant Traits Research Project
Help your students uncover the different inherited and acquired traits of plants with a research project!
- Plus Plan
Bean Growth Experiment
“Grow” your students’ knowledge of plant life cycles with a plant growth experiment.
- Free Plan
Creating Oxygen - Experiment
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on plant experiment.
- Plus Plan
Making a Mini Water Cycle - Experiment
Investigate the water cycle with this hands-on experiment.
- Plus Plan
Sun Observation Project
Use observations of the sun to describe patterns that can be predicted with this journal project.
- Plus Plan
Phases of the Moon – Journal Project
Observe, describe, and record patterns of the lunar cycle with this moon tracking project.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Being Water Wise - Saving Water Poster Project
Learn and demonstrate knowledge about water conservation with a "Being Water Wise" poster 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
Oil Spill Science Experiment
Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on science lab!
- Plus Plan
How to Catch a Leprechaun STEM Project
Use your engineering and design skills to build a leprechaun trap on St. Patrick's Day!
- Plus Plan
World Geography – Country Research Project Inquiry Task
Help your students discover new countries with our printable country research project template.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Lapbook - All About Me Template
Skip the "All About Me" worksheet and create an About Me lapbook on the first day of school.
- Plus Plan
One Word Resolution- New Year Goal Setting Project
Inspire your students to reflect and set one-word goals for the new year with a “Just One Word” goal-setting project.
- Plus Plan
New Year's Party Planning - STEM Project
Reap the benefits of STEM education by inspiring your students to plan, organize, and budget for a New Year’s Eve party for the classroom.
- Plus Plan
3D Christmas Ornaments Printable - STEM Challenge
Challenge your students to make three-dimensional paper Christmas ornaments with a STEM challenge.
- Plus Plan
A Map of Our School - Mapmaking Project
Develop primary grade map skills with a map-making project for first and second grade.
- Plus Plan
Christmas STEM - Tallest Tree Challenge
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this Christmas Tree Building STEM project.
- Plus Plan
Assembly Line Production - STEM Project
Engage your students in learning about the U.S. assembly line process with an exciting project-based task.
- 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
American Hero Triorama Project
Identify and encourage research into notable American and Texan heroes with a triorama project.
- Plus Plan
Thanksgiving STEM Project — Thanksgiving Turkey Trap
Explore hands-on STEAM concepts with a Thanksgiving Turkey Trap STEM project for elementary students.
- 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.
- Plus Plan
Mapping Our Classroom - Mapmaking Project
Develop primary grade map skills with a classroom mapping project.
- Plus Plan
Landform Diorama Project
Create and display a diorama of a landform with our landform project planning and creation templates.
- Plus Plan
All About Me Time Capsule
Build a self-portrait time capsule as a fun first day of school activity!
- Plus Plan
Build a Crayon Box – STEM Activity
Foster critical thinking and problem solving with this back to school STEM activity.
- 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.
- Plus Plan
Back to School Supply Shopping Task - Primary Grades
Calculate the cost of school supplies and answer questions with this back-to-school math activity.