Inquiry Based Learning Activities Teaching Resources
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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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.
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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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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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Water Retention in Soils – Science Experiment
Explore the water retention capabilities of sand, silt, loam and clay with this science experiment for kids.
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Food Webs - Research Project
Explore the food webs that exist in various biomes around the world with this student-centered inquiry task.
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Bean Growth Experiment
“Grow” your students’ knowledge of plant life cycles with a plant growth experiment.
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Creating Oxygen - Experiment
Investigate how oxygen is made with a hands on plant 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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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.
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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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Oil Spill Science Experiment
Investigate water pollution and discover the effects of oil spills on wildlife with a hands-on science lab!
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How to Catch a Leprechaun STEM Project
Use your engineering and design skills to build a leprechaun trap on St. Patrick's Day!
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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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Build Your Own Theme Park – Project
A STEM project embedded in a real-world context.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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3D Christmas Ornaments Printable - STEM Challenge
Challenge your students to make three-dimensional paper Christmas ornaments with a STEM challenge.
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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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Christmas STEM - Tallest Tree Challenge
Experience hands-on STEM concepts with your students with this Christmas Tree Building STEM project.