PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Ed Online: What Do Inquiry Based Lesson Plans Look Like?
Inquiry-based lesson plans are usually referred to as "facilitation plans," to help teachers remember their role as facilitator of learning, rather than fount of all wisdom. The notion also helps teachers structure lessons more loosely...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Science Education Center
Various middle school science resources from the Smithsonian Institution.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois: Inquiry Page: Learning Begins With Questions
What exactly is inquiry-based learning? Use this website to learn more about this unique learning style.
Other
Terc: Online Science Athon: Find Out How Tall You Are
Create a Measuring Day at your school and teach your students how to use simple tools to gather, discuss and analyze their own data. This step-by-step lesson plan helps you design an unforgettable day for you and your students. Links to...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Sound: A Lesson in Length and Pitch
In this classroom guided inquiry lesson, students will rotate through five stations of various sound instruments to look at how length affects pitch. The five sound stations include: straw flutes, xylophone, water phone, palm pipes, and...
NASA
Nasa: Meteorology
Educator's resource guide to be used as a supplement to existing curriculum and to enhance the understanding of inquiry-based learning from both the educator/teacher's perspective as well as from the learner's perspective. Individual...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Digging Up Details on Worms: Using Science in an Inquiry Study
A lesson plan based on a study unit of earthworms, using the inquiry model to integrate scientific processes with literacy practices. Instruction plans, related resources, and standards are included.
California Institute of Technology
Infrared Zoo Lesson 3: The Invisible Zoo
How do biologists and zoologists use infrared technology to learn how warm and cold-blooded animals thermoregulate their internal body temperature? Have your students explore this phenomenon using this great lesson plan.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: The American Red Squirrel an Outdoor Inquiry Lesson
For this activity, young scholars are presented with red pine cones that have been partly eaten by the American Red Squirrel, a fact that is not divulged to them at this stage. After a discussion of the possibilities, the class takes a...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Science Is a Wonderland
This is an inquiry lesson plan to teach students critical thinking skills. The student will learn through discovery what inquiry skills are and how they are used. They will learn how scientists use these skills in the scientific method...
Google
Google: Science Fair 2014
An online global competition where students can submit their science fair project. Projects are judged and scored to encourage students to use scientific inquiry. Site also includes a teacher section with lesson plans to help students...
Other
University of Cincinnati: Project Step: Cell Structure and Function
Engaging, interactive instructional activity focusing on cells being the basic units of structure and function of all living things. Students will be able to explain the different roles of each structure and how they relate to each other.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Inquiry Boards
[Free Registration/Login Required] Use these inquiry boards to help guide your lessons and take notes on various observations.
SRI International
Performance Assessment Links in Science: Ice Melting
A lesson plan for guiding students through a simple research experiment focused on transfer of energy is described for teacher administration and student explanation. Also includes a detailed rubric for evaluating student work.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Thinking Fountain
Explore Thinking Fountain's gallery of ideas and lessons, showcase your work in galleries, and find books that you can use with these science inspired activities.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Thinking Fountain
Explore Thinking Fountain's gallery of ideas and lessons, showcase your work in galleries, and find books that you can use with these science inspired activities.
Harvard University
Harvard Smithsonian: Everyday Classroom Tools
The focus of this series of lessons is to engage students in an exploration of the world around them. The emphasis is on inquiry as students learn about the earth, sun, light, shapes and more.
Other
Eduscapes
The creators of eduscapes have designed this website to share their love of learning and teaching with others. The site aims at effectively integrating technology into the classroom in a fun and seamless way. Use the site to get lesson...
Other
Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Essentials of Weather
A suite of lessons focusing on the basic elements of climate and weather. Inquiry-based exploration of extreme weather events and the factors of weather including clouds, wind, air pressure, temperature, and the water cycle.
Other
Generation Cures: Pathogens [Pdf]
Students will use scientific inquiry to prevent infection within an organism. At the end of the activity, students will understand cell characteristics, effect of microorganisms and how the body protects against harmful microorganism....
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Reading/writing About Whales Using Fiction and Nonfiction Texts
Students will have a whale of a good time in this instructional activity in which they use fiction and nonfiction texts to write a letter to an online scientist.
California Institute of Technology
Exploring Infrared Image Technology
This NASA lesson plan explores the technology of infrared imaging. Students will use infrared images of everyday items to explore infrared technology.
Other
National Geographic: Jason Learning
[Free Registration/Login Required] Educators and students will enjoy visiting the JASON Project, a NASA and National Geographic cooperation which works to provide accurate and intriguing scientific knowledge for students.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Investigating Projectile Motion: Creating a Catapult
This lesson is for 9th grade physical science students. It begins with an inquiry-based lesson using a projectile motion computer simulation. It culminates with students building a catapult; applying and connecting science knowledge from...