7 Inquiry Based Learning Ideas for Educators

The scientific method isn’t just for science class. The exploration, the curiosity, the collaboration and teamwork, and the pursuit of finding a better way to do something should be part of every single thing we do in education. It is imperative that we help our students understand the scientific method but that we also inspire the curiosity that the next generation of problem solvers needs. Teachers are so busy, so I am always on the lookout for diverse resources that bring learning alive. One such example is highlighted in today’s post.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Van Andel Institute for Education. All opinions are my own. I only partner with organizations whose resources I believe genuinely help teachers and students. For my full disclosure policy, see my sponsorship disclosure page.

When the Van Andel Institute for Education surveyed scientists and engineers about what they actually want from the students schools are sending them, I thought the answer was surprising. It wasn’t memorized facts or high test scores. It was critical thinking, creative thinking, and perseverance. Terra Tarango, Chief Education Officer at VAI Education, told me on the 10 Minute Teacher podcast:

“That’s what the scientists said was most important — critical thinking, creative thinking, perseverance. So if you’re doing those skills, you are actually helping teach science.”

— Terra Tarango, Chief Education Officer, Van Andel Institute for Education

I’ve been teaching computer science and STEM courses since 2002, and one of my biggest frustrations has always been the gap between what I want to do in my classroom and the time it takes to find or create the materials to make it happen. That’s why I was so excited when I got a sneak peek at the VAI Educator’s Studio from the Van Andel Institute for Education. This platform is packed with over 600 classroom-tested resources designed by teachers, for teachers.

In this post, I will share with you seven resources and features inside the VAI Educator’s Studio to save K–8 teachers time and bring critical thinking and engagement into our classrooms.

1. Collaborative Engineering Projects That Are Ready to Go

As I was testing these resources, I planned a “Fun Friday” for my computer applications eighth grade class a few weeks ago. I wanted to include a collaborative engineering design challenge. I went to the VAI Educator’s Studio and found a collaborative engineering project using marshmallows and toothpicks where students learn engineering concepts while discovering the measurable power of collaboration.

Everything was already prepared. All I had to do was search the resources, download and go. It was a great addition to my “Fun Friday” and it was so easy to find and use it and it worked. Sometimes things I’ve “created” with AI or downloaded from some website look great but my students can’t relate to it and it doesn’t work.

This kind of hands-on challenge is exactly what the experts say works. Recently, in my two-part STEAM Super Show series, Dr. Erin Krupa shared:

“You can’t see projects and activities as something that we do after we finish all of the real work, because that was a really common message from the scientists. It’s like no, that IS the real work.”

— Dr. Erin Krupa, Cool Cat Teacher Talk STEAM Super Show

2. Monthly Inquiry-Based Learning Ideas

Inside the VAI Educator’s Studio, you’ll find monthly activities connected to seasonal events and themes. These activities are differentiated by grade band (K–2, 3–5, and 6–8) and can be done in about 15 minutes.

This is one of my favorite features because I can go in and download quick calendar ideas to pull from any day of the month.

Terra Tarango explained the thinking behind these calendar-tied resources:

“We’re really big on making sure this is not adding anything, but giving teachers something they can do — a quick calendar activity, a brain break with substance.”

— Terra Tarango, STEAM in Action SuperShow

For example, around March Madness, there are bracket-style activities you can adapt to any content area. Around Valentine’s Day, there are science-based activities about the heart. Each month brings new, relevant, creative ways to connect learning to what’s happening in the world.

3. Cross-Curricular Project-Based Learning Units

Cross-curricular units are important but so many teachers don’t have collaborative planning time or they may have expertise in one area but not in others. A big benefit of these PBL units is that you don’t have to be an expert in every subject to run them.

For example, Terra walked me through a kindergarten unit called “Saving the Bees” that illustrates this approach:

“The first lesson is all about science — learning about bees and pollination. Then they get into math, counting flowers and collecting data. By the end, students are writing persuasive letters about why bees matter.”

— Terra Tarango, STEAM in Action SuperShow

Each of the five lessons focuses on a different content area, so it is cross-curricular by design. We can weave science into reading and math without sacrificing content standards.

4. 15 Minutes or Less: Quick Games and Activities

I’m always on the lookout for fun brain breaks but I like them to teach something. I found quite a few versatile examples in the VAI Educator’s Studio.

In this brain break activity, students are divided into groups of 3–5 to discuss and have fun with vocabulary relating to science content. I love how versatile the activities are and how they go across multiple grade levels.

The neuroscience backs this up. Susan Riley, founder of the Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM, explained on the STEAM Super Show:

“What’s happening is that your brain starts to light up in various areas… When that happens, this kind of creative cocktail happens that allows us to make connections much more easily.”

— Susan Riley, Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM

5. “Beat the Bot” AI Literacy Challenges

Karim Meghji, Chief Product Officer at Code.org recently told me,

“AI literacy is applicable in the understanding of how to use AI responsibly. Ethically, they apply well beyond computer science — they apply to every subject area.”

So, how do we bring AI into every subject area? Here is one idea from the VAI Educator’s Studio.

A unique addition to the Studio is the “Beat the Bot” resource set. If you remember “beat the calculator” from school, this is the AI version. Students complete tasks — writing prompts, solving problems, analyzing data — and then compare their work to what AI generates. It’s a fun, non-threatening way to teach AI literacy while reinforcing critical thinking skills.

Terra described the philosophy behind it:

“From now on, students are going to be asked to demonstrate how they can bring value that AI can’t. We show them AI’s response and then let them compare.”

— Terra Tarango, Cool Cat Teacher Talk STEAM Super Show

In these “Beat the Bot” activities, students are asked to do a task and then compare their results to AI to determine the unique value they bring to the work that goes above and beyond what AI is able to do.

6. The Teacher’s Strategy Vault

With over 300 searchable teaching strategies, the Teacher’s Strategy Vault lets you filter by subject, grade level, and instructional approach to find exactly what you need.

Terra shared the heart behind the Strategy Vault:

“The favorite thing that teachers have always liked when we do professional development — just the strategies, just quick things you can use in your classroom. The Strategy Vault is all of those in one place.”

— Terra Tarango, 10 Minute Teacher Podcast episode 930

Megan, a 3rd/4th grade teacher, said about the Strategy Vault:

“I love the organization and the ability to make comments! It is so easy to browse by clicking the ‘next strategy’ button.”

So, this is a great place to start as you go into the VAI Educator’s Studio.

7. On-Demand Professional Development and Educator Community

It can be so challenging to find time for professional development. The VAI Educator’s Studio includes on-demand PD videos, expert-led courses, and a built-in community for sharing ideas and asking questions. Whether you have five minutes or an hour, there’s something you can learn from.

What sets this PD apart is that it’s grounded in what actual scientists and researchers say matters. VAI Education is affiliated with the Van Andel Institute, a world-class biomedical research organization, so the content reflects real scientific thinking — not just buzzwords.

The philosophy of engagement through curiosity runs through everything in the studio.

What Else You’ll Find in the VAI Educator’s Studio

Beyond these seven highlights, the VAI Educator’s Studio is a treasure trove that keeps growing. Here’s a quick look at what else is inside:

• ✅ STEM Challenge Cards aligned with K–8 Next Generation Science Standards, each with challenge scenarios, criteria, suggested materials, and extension opportunities
• ✅ Picture books paired with STEM challenges for cross-curricular learning
• ✅ Inquiry-based science lessons built on how scientists actually work — doing before learning, questions before answers
• ✅ Project-based learning guides ready for immediate classroom use
• ✅ Educator community and affinity networks for collaboration and support
• ✅ Resources designed for grades K–8 across every subject area — not just STEM
• ✅ New content added regularly, including timely resources for AI literacy

Why This Matters Right Now

We have 3% of the population training 100% of tomorrow’s workforce. As Terra told me, teachers have the most important job in the world because they are training every other job that is to come. That’s a powerful responsibility, and teachers deserve tools that honor their time and make that job a little easier.

“If I can be a teacher fairy godmother, that’s what I want to be. Because the job — it’s too important to be as hard as it is.”

— Terra Tarango, Chief Education Officer, Van Andel Institute for Education

Try It for Yourself

If you’re a K–8 teacher — whether you teach STEM, reading, English language arts, or anything in between — the VAI Educator’s Studio has something for you.

VAI Educator’s Studio also has a number of free resources available, so explore them for yourself to see what’s there.

You can also hear more from Terra Tarango and many more STEAM experts on the two-part STEAM superseries. Part 1 was on the STEAM Mindset and Part 2 was on STEAM in Action.

I found so many great ideas and believe that you will too!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored blog post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services that I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Editorial Note: Some guests referenced in this post were interviewed independently on the Cool Cat Teacher Talk show and 10 Minute Teacher podcast. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with the sponsor, nor does the sponsor endorse the views of individual guests.