Inquiry-based learning is a student-focused approach to STEM education – one designed to improve students’ development of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Unlike traditional teacher-led instruction, inquiry-based learning harnesses students’ natural curiosity and invites them to ask questions, design experiments, and draw their own conclusions.
Research has shown this hands-on, explorative approach makes learning more engaging and improves student outcomes.
But inquiry-based learning doesn’t just enhance critical skills development and subject mastery.
In the age of AI in education, it also reduces opportunities for plagiarism and encourages original work, supporting students’ intellectual growth further still.
Here’s what you need to know about inquiry-based learning – including what it is, why it works, and how to introduce it in your teaching practice.
What is inquiry-based learning in the context of STEM?
Inquiry-based learning in STEM is an alternative to traditional didactic teaching methods. The aim of inquiry-based learning is to increase students’ engagement with, and mastery of, a topic through hands-on experience and critical thinking.
Rather than students being passive recipients of information and regurgitators of rote-learned facts, they are active classroom explorers. They ask questions, formulate hypotheses, and experiment to find answers.
Inquiry-based learning (IBL) encourages students to move beyond superficial understanding and develop a deeper understanding of core STEM concepts. In the process, students also develop essential skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and innovation. This not only scaffolds future learning and educational outcomes, but also prepares students for professional applications, which benefits society and the economy as a whole.
In IBL, the role of the teacher is transformed too. You become a facilitator and guide – rather than simply delivering information – helping students navigate their learning journey. As a result, IBL can increase the satisfaction of both educators and students.
The benefits of inquiry-based learning in the classroom
There is a wealth of research on the benefits of inquiry-based learning in the classroom. IBL has been proven to improve learning outcomes – from primary to higher education – including:
- Enhanced critical skills – including problem-solving, innovation, communication, and collaboration (Lai, 2018)
- More scientific creativity – particularly originality, flexibility, and fluency (Kirici and Bakirci, 2021)
- Higher conceptual understanding (Bakirci, Kirici, and Kara, 2022)
Inquiry-based learning also enhances student engagement and satisfaction with teaching – proven to improve learning outcomes – with students describing IBL as fun, exciting, and fostering team spirit (Attard, Berger, and Mackenzie, 2021).
But it isn’t just students that benefit from IBL. Research shows it also improves teacher-student relationships and pedagogical repertoires, compared to traditional STEM teaching methods (Attard, Berger, and Mackenzie, 2021).
Inquiry-based learning examples in STEM
Here are two examples of how inquiry-based learning could be applied in STEM teaching.
Inquiry-based learning example – Biology
Traditional teaching method: Students learn cell structure through lectures and studying diagrams in a textbook. The product of this learning is rote memorization of cell components and their functions.
Inquiry-based learning method: Students observe different cells through a microscope and formulate experiments to answer questions such as ‘How do animal and plant cells differ?’ The product of this learning is knowledge of cell structure, experimentation, and data analysis.
Inquiry-based learning example – Information technology
Traditional teaching method: Students receive direct instruction on programming languages, focusing primarily on syntax and completing textbook exercises. The emphasis is on replicating code rather than its practical applications.
Inquiry-based learning method: Students are supported to develop a simple app, including user research, ideation, and working in a team to design and code the app – perhaps working with an industry sponsor. The emphasis is on practical application and real-world professional skills.
Why is critical thinking essential in STEM – and what impact is AI having?
Critical thinking is essential in STEM because it enables students to analyze problems, evaluate evidence, and develop innovative solutions – essential skills for educational and professional success.
Critical skill development isn’t just an imperative for educators but for society as a whole. Global challenges like climate change and sustainability need innovators, problem-solvers, and critical thinkers to solve them.
According to researchers, the importance of cultivating cognitive abilities – especially for students tasked with synthesizing, evaluating, and forming arguments – cannot be overstated (Kaeppel, 2021). However, with the rise in access to AI assistance, these skills are in jeopardy.
The impact of AI on critical thinking in STEM education
AI can undermine critical thinking by providing students with instant answers that discourage deeper thinking and analysis.
When students turn to AI for quick solutions – perhaps due to academic pressure or lack of clarity over the appropriate use of AI in learning – they bypass their critical thinking processes.
Research shows that over-reliance on AI impairs students’ cognitive abilities, negatively impacting critical thinking, innovation, and problem-solving (Zhai, Wibowo, and Li, 2024).
Fortunately, inquiry-based learning provides a solution that helps develop STEM critical thinking skills and maintain academic integrity.
How does inquiry-based learning build critical thinking skills essential in the age of AI?
Inquiry-based learning focuses on the process of learning, not just the product. IBL encourages students to question assumptions, test hypotheses, devise innovative solutions, and test their understanding.
Students are rewarded for their ability to question, explore, and engage critically with the topic – not just being able to present ‘the right answer’ in a final exam.
Equipped with a deeper understanding of core concepts – and greater confidence in their ability to apply learning to different scenarios – they should feel empowered to tackle assignments independently instead of turning to AI.
Reducing plagiarism with inquiry-based learning approaches
Inquiry-based learning helps tackle plagiarism and AI-assisted misconduct on several levels.
Firstly, it reduces opportunities to use AI as assessment is formative rather than summative. Secondly, it empowers students to work independently and reduce their recourse to AI. And, finally, it makes it easier for educators to identify AI misconduct.
How does IBL discourage dependency on AI and promote original work?
By implementing an interactive learning environment, IBL creates a playful and psychologically safe space for students to engage more deeply with their subjects. This helps them develop genuine subject knowledge and experience the joy of learning, hopefully making them less likely to submit AI-generated work instead of their own.
The use of formative assessment alongside IBL further reduces student opportunities to fall back on AI for easy answers, as assessment takes place through ongoing observation, feedback, and iterative learning, rather than high-stakes summative assessments.
This IBL approach not only reduces student opportunities for using AI, but it also helps teachers develop greater insights into individual student progress and identify any unusual activity that could indicate the use of AI. Using inquiry-based learning to prepare students for the AI future.
Of course, AI is a reality of the future of work. Educators can’t ignore its applications – they need to prepare students to engage with it critically and ethically.
Inquiry-based learning can be applied to AI as a topic – encouraging students to assess the validity of AI-generated responses, check for biases, and understand the opportunities and limitations of the technology.
This approach helps students understand the rightful role of AI in their own learning, how students can use AI ethically, and equip them with the skills to navigate an increasingly complex technological landscape.
Challenges and solutions for implementing inquiry-based learning
While the benefits of inquiry-based learning in the classroom are clear, there are challenges to implementing it. Educators can struggle with time constraints, limited resources, lack of experience with IBL, and institutional resistance to change.
Time constraints
Inquiry-based learning takes more time to prepare and deliver than traditional instruction-led teaching. However, don’t let this dampen your enthusiasm. You don’t have to commit to using IBL 100% of the time.
- Introduce it gradually, using discrete projects that can slot into existing lesson plans, while you test its efficacy for your students
- Use learning technologies to reduce manual tasks and admin, so you have more time to develop innovative pedagogical approaches
Limited resources
Hands-on practical sessions often require specialized resources, which institutions may not have access to, or see the value of investing in. There are ways around this.
- Investigate opportunities for resource sharing between local schools, colleges, and universities
- Look into virtual resources such as virtual labs and simulations
- Explore industry sponsorship and equipment loans
Lack of experience
Many educators may be unfamiliar with inquiry-based learning techniques, leading to hesitance to implement the approach. Institutions need to support their educators to gain confidence and skills in IBL.
- Provide targeted training and mentorship in IBL techniques – and the time to undertake it
- Create a safe and supported space for teachers to develop and experiment with IBL plans
- Set up – or join – a wider community of practice across other institutions to share knowledge
Institutional resistance
There may be resistance to implementing IBL for many of the reasons above. It’s a shift that will require investment of time and effort.
- Share the proven benefits of IBL with institutional decision-makers
- Discuss the advantages for student outcomes and employability, teacher engagement and retention, and societal impact
- Create a rollout plan that shows how IBL can be implemented effectively and cost-efficiently
Assessing inquiry-based learning
Institutions wedded to summative end-of-unit assessments may need to adjust their approach to evaluating student work. This will better assess critical skills and mitigate the risk of AI use.
- Avoid assessment methods that focus exclusively on exams and assignment submission, as these can be vulnerable to AI-based misconduct
- Use formative assessment methods to evaluate student understanding, mastery, and progress – including rubrics designed to assess the process – not just product – of learning
- Leverage grading and assessment tools to reduce the manual burden on educators and free them for more teaching
Best practices for implementing inquiry-based learning in the STEM classroom
If you are successful in making a business case for inquiry-based learning at your institution, here are some best practices you can incorporate into your teaching practice, inspired by recent research.
Introduce inquiry-based learning gradually
Don’t jump straight into inquiry-based learning. First, assess your students’ readiness for the change, then introduce it gradually, with appropriate scaffolding.
- Explicit instruction: When introducing new topics, start with explicit instruction to embed core information and concepts. Once students have a solid understanding, allow them to formulate hypotheses.
- Teacher-guided inquiry: Transition to teacher-guided inquiry, where you provide examples and demonstrate tasks to help students gain clarity and confidence.
- Student-led open inquiry: Finally, move towards full student-led open inquiry, where learners take the initiative in exploring and investigating topics independently.
Engage industry partners
Research shows that contextualizing inquiry-based learning in real-life scenarios improves learning outcomes – especially localized contexts relevant to future employment opportunities (Attard, Berger, and Mackenzie, 2021).
Explore opportunities to engage local industry partners to set practical challenges for students – for example, industry-informed projects and competitions, work experience, guest speakers, mentorship programs, and equipment loans.
Request development
Effective inquiry-based learning starts with teachers who understand how to implement it. If you haven’t been trained in IBL, request professional development opportunities such as attending conferences and training on the approach.
Attard, Berger, and Mackenzie (ibid) assert that ‘teacher professional learning should focus on enhancing teacher capacity to use innovative pedagogical approaches like IBL’, while other research highlights the need for training that helps STEM teachers connect academic concepts with current professional applications (van Driel, Vossen, Henze, and de Vries, 2018).
Final thoughts
In an age of AI-empowered intellectual shortcuts, inquiry-based learning fosters critical thinking and encourages students to engage deeply in the learning process.
This helps STEM students to approach their learning with intellectual curiosity and confidence – reducing both the appeal of using AI to replace critical thinking, and the opportunity to do so.
By equipping students with inquiry skills – and using assessment methods that recognize both the process and product of learning – educators can create independent thinkers ready to excel in education and work.
While IBL can be time-consuming to develop and implement, the benefits to student and institutional outcomes are well documented.
Learning technologies can help educators make more time to develop their pedagogical approaches by automating manual grading and assessment processes – as well as providing advanced tools for formative assessment in IBL.