Inquiry Based Learning Made Simple for K-8
06 April 2026

Inquiry Based Learning Made Simple for K-8

10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher

About

Inquiry-based learning doesn't have to mean overhauling your entire schedule. Terra Tarango, Chief Education Officer at Van Andel Institute for Education, shares practical ways K-8 teachers can weave inquiry and hands-on science into any subject — starting small and building from there.

Sponsored by the VAI Educator's Studio from Van Andel Institute for Education.

In this episode, you'll learn:

    How a 5-lesson kindergarten bee project covers science, math, ELA, and SEL Why "Beat the Bot" is the perfect activity for teaching kids what humans do better than AI How to flip your planning — start with what's interesting, then connect the content What ethical PD looks like (and why Terra says theory-heavy PD is "unethical") Small first steps: pledge forms, student pitch tanks, and flipping instruction order

Show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e930

Get 50% off VAI Educator's Studio membership with promo code COOLCAT at coolcatteacher.com/vai